By Barnabas Augustine
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has categorically denied closing down the offices of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, clarified that the commission had simply visited NAHCON premises to apprehend officials who had ignored their summons. Bakare emphasised that the ICPC's actions were strictly in accordance with legal procedures.
“Yes, they were in our office; they were released after being granted bail and meeting their bail conditions. They are senior officials, but their chairman is not included, please. Investigations are ongoing,” Bakare clarified.
“We did not close down the commission as has been speculated. We only went there for officials who failed to honour our invitation".
The development follows the arrest of a senior NAHCON figure, just days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) questioned the commission's chairman, Jalal Arabi, over the alleged misappropriation of the N90 billion Hajj subsidy.
This investigation was initiated after Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, expressed concerns about the handling of the subsidy, prompting a parliamentary inquiry.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a source from the ICPC confirmed to journalists that several officials from the Hajj Commission are currently under investigation.
“On Wednesday, some of our officers were at the Hajj Commission’s office to bring some officials to our office. We had invited these officials but they did not appear. They were questioned upon their arrival at the commission’s office. The officials are being investigated following petitions against them regarding the subsidy for pilgrims,” the source said.
However, NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi has strongly defended the commission’s financial management in a post-Hajj press briefing on 29 July, asserting complete transparency in the disbursement of the N90 billion.
“Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90 billion, except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme who received more. Therefore, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on the HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 as the N90 billion was insufficient to cover the full amount,” Arabi stated.