EFCC Grills NAHCON Chairman, Summons Three Directors Over 2024 Hajj Funds Mismanagement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday interrogated Jalal Arabi, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), regarding allegations of mismanagement of funds allocated for the 2024 Hajj exercise.

Arabi arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, at about 10 a.m. and was questioned for several hours.

Sources revealed that his interrogation was triggered by multiple petitions accusing him of mismanaging the N90 billion subsidy provided for the 2024 Hajj exercise, among other issues.

“He was invited to the commission’s office to explain how his commission spent the N90bn subsidy provided for the 2024 Hajj exercise,” an insider disclosed to The PUNCH, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

“The allegations date back to 2021 and cover more than just the recent Hajj exercise.”

Three other NAHCON directors – the Director of Procurement, Director of Finance, and the Director of Programmes – have also been summoned by the EFCC to provide information on the matter.

The EFCC source indicated that Arabi is unlikely to be detained but may be required to return for further questioning.

“The CEO has been invited, he has honored the invitation, and there is no reason to keep him in custody when he is already complying,” the source stated.

When asked for comments, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said he would respond later, but had not done so by the time of this report.

At a post-Hajj press conference in Abuja on Monday, Arabi defended the transparency of the N90 billion subsidy usage.

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

Calls for an investigation into NAHCON’s management of the subsidy intensified in June when Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, urged the National Assembly to probe the funds, criticizing NAHCON’s handling of the Hajj operations.

On June 11, the House of Representatives resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate NAHCON over the 2024 Hajj exercise following a motion moved by Kwara State lawmaker Mohammed Bio, who highlighted significant shortcomings in the commission’s management of the pilgrimage.