The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Jalal Arabi, the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), and Abdullahi Kontagora, the commission’s secretary, in connection with the alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion 2024 Hajj subsidy.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Arabi fraudulently overpaid himself and other officials, with a total of SR314,098 recovered from them.
The investigation also uncovered that SR8,614,175.27 in cash withdrawals from the commission’s funds remains unaccounted for.
Documents from the EFCC indicate that Arabi was entitled to SR15,929 but received SR50,000, while other officials similarly received excess payments.
The commission also faces scrutiny over payments made for services not rendered and improper handling of consultancy fees, resulting in further recoveries.
