EFCC Takes NAHCON Chairman into Custody Again, Recovers Millions

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has once again detained Jalal Arabi, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), alongside the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora. The two are under investigation for the alleged illegal withdrawal and mismanagement of the ₦90 billion 2024 Hajj intervention fund.

Reports indicate that the EFCC has recovered a total of SR 314,098 from Chairman Arabi and other senior officials of the commission. According to the EFCC’s investigation, the Chairman allegedly orchestrated fraudulent overpayments to himself and other officials from the Hajj subsidy fund.

Documents obtained by the EFCC revealed the approved 2024 Hajj operational costs for NAHCON officials as follows: $4,250 for the Chairman/CEO, $12,750 for Commissioners, $3,825 for the Secretary, and $15,300 for Directors/Chief of Staff. However, the EFCC alleges that the Chairman and others received amounts far in excess of these approved sums.

The Chairman was reportedly entitled to SR 15,929 but received SR 50,000. Similarly, three commissioners, who were each supposed to receive SR 15,929, instead received SR 40,000 each. The Secretary was entitled to SR 14,336 but was allegedly paid SR 30,000, while Directors/Chief of Staff, entitled to SR 2,550, also received SR 30,000 each. The total sum of SR 314,098 was recovered from these overpayments.

This development follows Arabi’s initial interrogation by the EFCC on July 29, after which he was released on bail. Additionally, several top officials of the Hajj Commission were arrested last Wednesday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in connection with the alleged mismanagement or diversion of the N90 billion subsidy.

A source confirmed that Arabi was interrogated and detained again by the EFCC on Wednesday as investigations continue.