Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) raided the headquarters of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Abuja on Tuesday, as part of an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a N90 billion intervention fund designated for the 2024 Hajj.
The EFCC operatives, who arrived with a valid arrest warrant, conducted the raid around 11 a.m. During the operation, NAHCON’s spokesperson, Fatimah Usara, and three other staff members were detained.
Meanwhile, some aggrieved workers at NAHCON had also called for an investigation by the Nigerian government over fresh allegations of corruption, favoritism, and systemic violations of civil service regulations in the commission.
The staff had told SaharaReporters that the allegations implicated some senior officials in the commission and raised questions about the integrity of the leadership.
SaharaReporters had on January 2 reported the reinstatement of Usman Ardo Kumo, a retired civil servant turned politician who had also contested the 2019 elections.
He had resigned from the North-West Development Commission and his resignation was duly accepted.
Kumo was allegedly reinstated by Bukar Babagana, NAHCON’s Director of Administration and Human Resources. Bukar, who was transferred from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
In a fresh revelation, some NAHCON staff, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, said Bukar allegedly repeatedly flouted civil service rules by retaining staff who are either due for retirement or occupying positions beyond their approved grade levels and tenures.