In what can be regarded as zero tolerance for corruption and a decisive action against errant public official, President Bola Tinubu has removed the Executive Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Jalal Arabi and replaced him with Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new boss of the commission.
Tinubu’s appointment of Arabi as NAHCON boss on October 17, 2023, came to an end on Monday, August 19, 2024, as the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has nailed his fate to remain in office and caused him to bite the dust.
It is instructive to note that the EFCC has launched a comprehensive investigation into the activities of Arabi, following his alleged involvement in the mismanagement of N90billion Hajj intervention fund.
The EFCC had on August 16, said it detained Arabi, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, over illegal withdrawal and the alleged mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj intervention fund.
It was further gathered that the foremost anti-graft agency also recovered about SR314,098 from Arabi and other top ranking officials of NAHCON.
The EFCC also said that its investigation revealed that from the N90billion Hajj subsidy, Arabi fraudulently overpaid himself and others above the necessary operational cost.
The EFCC investigators found that out of the N90 billion, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) deducted about N1.76 billion (N1,764,705,937.62) as bank charges.
The investigators further said, “Subsequently, the sum of N88.2 billion (N88, 235.294,063.72) “was converted into United States dollars at the rate of N1,416.13 (to $1), which amounted to $62.3 million ($62,307,164.48) and after that transferred into NAHCON British SAAB Account in Saudi Arabia.”
“The sum of $62.3 million was further converted to Saudi Riyal at the rate of $1 to SAR3.748, which amounted to SAR233.5 million (SAR233,527,252.47).
“The opening balance of the IBAN- E track for 2024 Hajj activities was SAR19.8 million (SAR19,813,810.89) and has an inflow of SAR485 million (SAR485,000,000) from NAHCON with a closing balance of SAR78.985 million (SAR 78,985,266.03).
“The closing balance is inclusive of the SAR20,637,908.23 (SAR20.6 million) refunded from the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah Saudi Arabia.”
But Arabi was said to have denied any wrongdoings and defended how the subsidy was spent in July.
The Spokesman to the President, Ajuri Ngelale, announced the removal of Arabi and the appointment of Usman in a statement made available to TheIdeal News on Monday.
Ngelale added that Prof Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.
According to the presidential spokesman, Usman’s appointment is subject to Senate’s confirmation.
The statement reads in part, “ He (Usman) is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.
“ The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”
