Former US President Donald Trump Shot But Escapes Assassination Attempt
Kofoworola Odozi The recent detainment of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman, Jalal Arabi, and the Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Kontagora, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sparked significant attention. The EFCC is investigating the alleged mismanagement of N90 billion allocated by the federal government for the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
Reports indicate that the NAHCON officials are accused of overpaying themselves and other top officials far beyond the approved Hajj operational costs. Specifically, the EFCC alleges that Arabi paid himself Saudi Riyal (SR) 50,000 instead of the SR15,929 allocated in the budget. Similarly, other officials received payments exceeding their entitlements. The investigation has led to the recovery of SR314,098 from the involved officials.
The EFCC has also uncovered other discrepancies, including unaccounted cash withdrawals amounting to SR8.6 million and payments to companies for services not rendered. Despite these allegations, NAHCON’s Chairman, Arabi, has denied any wrongdoing, asserting that the funds were used to cover additional costs incurred during the Hajj operations.
This ongoing investigation underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of public funds, especially in matters as sensitive as religious pilgrimages, where the trust and faith of thousands of citizens are at stake.
