President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Jalal Arabi from his position as Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential spokesman, announced that Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman will take over as the new NAHCON Chairman.
“Professor Usman is a distinguished scholar with qualifications from the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.
He also has extensive experience in Hajj operations, having served as Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board and managed the largest quota of state pilgrims in Nigeria,” Ngelale said.
“The appointment is pending Senate confirmation. The President expects the new Chairman to perform his duties with integrity, transparency, and dedication to the nation.”
Arabi, who was appointed in October, faced scrutiny over the handling of the 2024 Hajj funds, with the Federal Government allocating N90 billion for subsidies.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested Arabi and NAHCON Secretary Abdullahi Kontagora in connection with the matter.
An EFCC source revealed that Arabi had overpaid himself and other officials.
The source stated, “The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but received SR50,000. Three commissioners, each meant to receive SR15,929, were paid SR40,000 each.
The secretary received SR30,000 instead of SR14,336, and directors received SR30,000 instead of SR2,550. A total of SR314,098 was recovered from the involved individuals.”
