The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) hosted the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, on Tuesday. Arabi’s visit to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja was reportedly in connection with allegations of mismanagement of hajj funds.
According to sources, Arabi was invited to explain an ongoing investigation into a purported N200 billion fraud that occurred between 2020 and 2021. Another source indicated that his invitation was linked to a series of petitions arising from the recently concluded 2024 Hajj exercise.
The administration of President Bola Tinubu had provided N90 billion to subsidize travel costs for Nigerian pilgrims to the holy land.
Confirming Arabi’s presence at the EFCC headquarters, an anonymous source revealed that the NAHCON chairman arrived shortly before 10:00 am and was being interrogated by a team of detectives.
“As of now, the NAHCON chairman has been invited; he is already being interrogated by our crack detectives to provide explanations on some issues that border on allegations of fund mismanagement in the commission,” the source said.
The investigation, which has been ongoing since 2021, involves the alleged mismanagement of N200 billion. Three NAHCON officials, including the directors of procurement, finance, and program, have already provided useful statements to the EFCC.
“Today, the Chief Executive Officer is invited to explain how the fund allocated to the commission is being spent,” the source added.
The source could not specify how long Arabi would spend with the agency during the interrogation but assured that he would be allowed to leave and return the following day if necessary. The EFCC aims to comply with international best practices, ensuring that suspects are not kept beyond necessary periods.
“The CEO has been invited; he has honored 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,” the source concluded.
