EFCC detains NAHCON Top Official Over Alleged ₦50bn 2025 Hajj Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and detained senior officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over allegations of fraud and financial mismanagement during the 2025 Hajj operations.

Those in custody include Aliu Abdulrazak, Commissioner of Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF), and Aminu Muhammed, Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA).

According to reports, both officials honoured an EFCC invitation at its headquarters around 11 a.m. on Monday. As of late Monday night, they remained in the anti-graft agency’s custody.

The arrests follow a wave of allegations surrounding the mismanagement of funds during the 2025 Hajj exercise, Daily Trust reported.

The Forum of Chief Executives of State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Boards, Agencies, and Commissions had earlier described the Hajj operations under NAHCON chairman, Prof Abdullahi Saleh Usman (popularly known as “Professor Pakistan”), as “a total failure.”

Earlier this month, EFCC also interrogated other NAHCON executives, including Abdulmalik Diggi, Deputy Director (Accounts) and Special Adviser (General Services) to the Chairman/CEO; Sirajo Usman Salisu, Deputy Director in the Chairman’s Office; and Barrister Nura Danladi, the commission’s Legal Adviser.

Credible sources revealed on Monday night that Abdulrazak and Muhammed are also under investigation for their alleged roles in a separate fund diversion case dating back to the tenure of former chairman Ahmad Jalal Arabi.

When asked about their possible release, one source disclosed: “They have been unable to refund the money we asked them to refund. We are not concerned whether they are making an attempt to refund it or not. Our own is that they must vomit what they ate illegitimately.”

According to Sahara Reporters, EFCC’s investigation involves alleged financial misconduct exceeding ₦50 billion under Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman’s leadership.

He is accused of spending ₦25 billion on Masha’ir tents, ₦1.6 billion on spouses, and ₦7.9 billion on contingency houses in Makkah, as well as authorising extra-budgetary expenses beyond presidential approval. Funds were allegedly diverted to cover costs for NAHCON officials, stakeholders, and their spouses, pushing the total disputed amount to over ₦25 billion.

The newly appointed NAHCON chairman, appointed by President Bola Tinubu, has so far only supervised the 2025 Hajj exercise.

Efforts to reach EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale for official comments were unsuccessful, as calls to his mobile number went unanswered and a text message remained unreplied as of press time.

However, NAHCON management reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability in its operations.

In a statement, Fatima Sanda Usara, NAHCON’s Assistant Director of Information and Publication, said, “As a responsible organisation,” the commission maintains an open relationship with relevant government bodies, including anti-corruption and regulatory agencies.

“This cooperation is a standing principle of the commission’s operations and its belief in due process and the rule of law. The commission would not shield any staff or process found wanting,” she added.

Usara also appealed to the public and media to avoid unnecessary speculations and allow investigators to conclude their work without unfairly tarnishing reputations.