EFCC Arrest Katsina Govt Officials For Allegedly Diverting ₦1.3 Billion

The Kano State command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five officials from the Katsina Internal Revenue Service in connection with an alleged fraud amounting to ₦1.3 billion.

The individuals, identified as Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, were taken into custody last Saturday, January 11.

The spokesperson for the anti-corruption agency, Dele Oyewale, confirmed their arrest in Abuja on Monday, specifying that the total amount allegedly misappropriated by the suspects is ₦1,294,337,676.53.

According to Oyewale, the arrests were made following a petition from the Katsina state government, which accused the officials of colluding to misappropriate the funds.

He noted that this amount was intended for the state government, having been sourced from the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

He explained, “Preliminary investigation by the commission showed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections of the Board and current Permanent Secretary of the Board authorized the opening of a bank account in the name of ‘BOIRS’ at Sterling Bank where he allegedly designated Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Director of Revenue Account and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as sole signatories to the account.

“Subsequently, the account became the primary channel through which all the funds were allegedly funneled to the main beneficiary NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare of the Board.

“Investigation further revealed that Nura Lawal and his company ”NADIKKO” became the principal conduits used to launder the stolen funds. These laundered funds were traced to the various bank accounts of the suspects.”

The EFCC spokesman said the suspects had been detained at the Kano Zonal Command of the commission, adding that they would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.