ICPC nabs senior NAHCON officials over alleged N90bn Hajj fund misuse

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested several senior officials from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) as part of an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a N90 billion fund designated for the 2024 Hajj.

Demola Bakare, spokesperson for the ICPC, confirmed the detentions during a phone interview with SaharaReporters on Friday.

According to Bakare, the action was taken after the officials failed to respond to an earlier invitation from the agency regarding the corruption allegations.

“We detained the Director of Finance among others. Initially, they were invited for questioning, but when they did not comply, we had no choice but to take them into custody. Contrary to rumors, the office was not sealed; only the individuals who did not cooperate were apprehended,” Bakare clarified, emphasizing that the Director of Finance was among those detained.

The detained officials have since been released on bail but are required to report to the ICPC regularly as the investigation proceeds.

Bakare also cautioned that the agency would take legal steps against the sureties of the suspects if they fail to comply with future summons.

This incident follows an earlier investigation in July, when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  questioned NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi over similar allegations of fund misappropriation.