The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, to its headquarters in Abuja for questioning. Arabi is expected to explain how the commission spent the N90 billion subsidy provided for the 2024 Hajj exercise.
According to sources within the EFCC, Arabi will also be asked to provide detailed explanations on how NAHCON shared thousands of dollars allocated to it for pilgrims. The commission is facing allegations of financial mismanagement and maltreatment of pilgrims during the 2024 Hajj exercise in Saudi Arabia.
The EFCC’s invitation comes after several petitions were filed against Arabi and NAHCON, prompting the anti-graft agency to launch an investigation. The agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed that Arabi had been invited but did not provide further details.
Earlier, Arabi had explained that the N90 billion subsidy was used to support pilgrims due to the depreciation of the naira. He stated that each pilgrim who paid for the 2024 Hajj through the government quota received N1.6 million in support.
The EFCC’s investigation into NAHCON’s activities is ongoing, and Arabi’s appearance at the agency’s headquarters is expected to shed more light on the allegations of financial mismanagement.
