EFCC Probes NAHCON Boss Over Alleged Hajj Funds Misuse

NAHCON Boss in hot seat over N90bn Hajj funds controversy...

NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi faces EFCC questioning over alleged mismanagement of N90 billion Hajj funds, amid transparency concerns and calls for a National Assembly probe into the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

On Tuesday, July 30, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) summoned Jalal Arabi, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), for questioning regarding alleged financial mismanagement related to the 2024 Hajj exercise and other matters.

Arabi reported to the EFCC headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, where he faced interrogation by EFCC investigators. According to a source familiar with the matter, the EFCC's inquiry into Arabi's activities was prompted by several petitions filed against him, leading to a thorough examination of his stewardship at NAHCON.

The source said, “He was invited to the commission's office to explain how his commission spent the N90 billion 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.”

The source added “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.”

Regarding Arabi's status, the source suggested that the EFCC might not take him into custody, implying that he could be released after questioning, pending further investigation.

“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.”

During a press conference in Abuja on Monday, July 29, NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi maintained that the N90 billion allocated for Hajj subsidy was utilized in a transparent manner.

“Each pilgrim was supported with N1.6 million from the N90 billion 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 N1.9 million since the N90 billion was not sufficient to make up for the balance,” Arabi said.

In June, Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago called on the National Assembly to probe the utilization of the N90 billion funds provided by the Federal Government to subsidize the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia, seeking transparency and accountability in the disbursement of the funds.

The governor criticized NAHCON's performance, calling it a failure, and said, “The N90bn subsidy paid by the Federal government for the Hajj operation, with some states, including Niger, paying about billions of naira; there is need for the National Assembly to probe the N90bn the Federal Government released for the 2024 Hajj. It is ridiculous that pilgrims were given only $400 to take care of themselves for about 40 days despite the payment of N8m by each pilgrim.

“The N90 bilion would have made more impact if shared with states. The money is enough to run the Universal Basic Education budget for four years.”

On June 11, the House of Representatives resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to conduct a thorough investigation into the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria's (NAHCON) management and activities related to the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.

This decision came after the House adopted a motion titled, “Urgent need to investigate the National Hajj Commission and the Federal Capital Territory Administration Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board, their agents, and sub-agents over shoddy arrangement and treatment of Nigerian pilgrims in the 2024 Hajj exercise.”

The motion for the investigation was sponsored by Honourable Mohammed Bio, the member representing Baruten/Kaiama Federal Constituency in Kwara State, who brought the issue to the attention of the House of Representatives.

Honourable Mohammed Bio emphasized the significance of the Hajj pilgrimage as a fundamental Islamic obligation and one of the five pillars of Islam. He expressed concern that, despite NAHCON's responsibility for over 50,865 Muslim pilgrims from Nigeria in 2024, many of them experienced subpar welfare services, disorganization, inadequate guidance, and insufficient monitoring during the exercise.