The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested several top officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over allegations of mismanagement or diversion of the N90 billion released by the Federal Government to subsidize the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.
The arrests took place at the officials’ offices after they failed to respond to earlier invitations from the ICPC.
Upon their arrival at the anti-graft agency’s office, the officials were interrogated for hours regarding the handling of the N90bn subsidy for pilgrims.
An ICPC source, speaking anonymously, stated, “On Wednesday, some of our men were at the Hajj Commission’s office to bring in officials who failed to honor our invitation.
They were interrogated upon their arrival at our office. The investigation is in response to petitions concerning the subsidy for pilgrims.”
Confirming the arrests, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare said on Sunday that the officials had been released after meeting their bail conditions.
Bakare clarified, “Yes, they were in our office and were released after granting them bail. The investigation continues. Their chairman is not included in this investigation.”
Bakare also dismissed rumors that the ICPC had shut down the NAHCON office, stating, “We didn’t shut down the commission as speculated. We only went there for officials who failed to honor our invitation.”
This development follows the recent interrogation of NAHCON Chairman, Jalal Arabi, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the same N90bn Hajj subsidy.
The National Assembly had also launched an investigation into NAHCON after Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago raised concerns about the alleged misuse of funds.
In response to the allegations, Arabi, at a post-Hajj press conference in Abuja on July 29, insisted that the funds were transparently utilized.
He explained, “Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn, except for those under the Hajj Savings Scheme who received more.
All registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was not sufficient to cover the entire cost.”
The investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the 2024 Hajj subsidy continues.
