The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it is investigating the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over the N90 billion hajj subsidy.
According to ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the commission is looking into claims that NAHCON officials failed to cooperate with investigators.
“Some NAHCON officials were arrested by the commission on Wednesday for refusing to honour an invitation by the anti-graft agency,” Bakare exclusively told TheCable.
Bakare revealed that some NAHCON officials were taken into custody on Wednesday for declining to respond to the ICPC’s invitations.
However, he denied reports that the commission’s office was shut down, emphasising that ICPC operates within legal boundaries.
“We are investigating officials of the National Hajj Commission because they either failed or refused to honour the invitation. We therefore paid them a friendly visit,” he said.
“We didn’t shut down the commission, as reported by some journalists. ICPC operates within the confines of the law.
“Officials arrested, which I can’t name, were released on bail and would henceforth be helping the investigation process until concluded.”
News About Nigeria reports that NAHCON spokesperson Fatimah Usara downplayed the incident, stating that it is routine for officials to be questioned after hajj operations.
“Some of the commission’s relevant staff had been making presentations to the ICPC when demanded,” she said.
“And this is a thing that the commission considers normal because it happens after every hajj until any doubt is cleared. It’s nothing new.
“The Head of Procurement had an invitation that he didn’t honour, so two days ago, on Wednesday precisely, the ICPC sent the relevant officers to him, him alone.
“In fact, NAHCON accommodated them to wait for him to report to work, which they did. And when he came, they left together. No one entered any office at all. They waited outside.”
In July, NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi disclosed that the N90 billion fund approved by President Bola Tinubu was used to subsidise pilgrims’ fares.
The same month, Arabi was invited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the approved fund.
