EFCC Grills NAHCON Boss Over N90bn Hajj Subsidy

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, has questions the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Jalal Arabi, over alleged misappropretion of the N90bn 2024 Hajj funds.

Jabi, was grilled for hours by EFCC investigators according to findings.
An insider source disclosed that the questioning was orchestrated following petitions filed against him.

The source who did not want to be mentioned said, "He was invited to the commission’s office to explain how his commission spent the N90bn subsidy provided for the 2024 hajj exercise.

“His invitation was a result of the petitions against the chairman and his management team to our office over the alleged mismanagement of funds in the commission, and the 2024 Hajj exercise, among others.

“The allegations he was asked to respond to date back to 2021 and not just the issue of the just concluded exercise.”

"Three directors from the commission have also been invited to explain what they know about the issue. They include the Director of Procurement, Director of Finance and the Director of the Programmes.”

“Following the interrogation, he may not be detained but he will be asked to come back if needed at the end of the day; but presently, he is still being interrogated.

"The CEO has been invited, he has honoured the invitation, he will go back, there is no reason to keep him in custody when he is already complying.

"The new EFCC is operating in accordance with international best practices. You can see that most of the people invited are always allowed to go if they comply.”

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale said, he would attain to the matter soon.

Rocketparrot News reported that the NAHCON chairman had said the N90bn Hajj subsidy was transparently utilised.

“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who enjoyed more.

“Hence, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to make up for the balance,” Arabi said.