EFCC Detains Two Senior NAHCON Officials Over Alleged 2025 Hajj Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained two senior officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) over alleged fraud connected to the 2025 Hajj operations.

Senior EFCC sources confirmed the arrests on Tuesday but declined to disclose the amount involved. “They are with us. We asked them to return the money they took, but they have yet to do so. That is why they remain in our custody,” one source told our correspondent on condition of anonymity.

In a statement signed by its Assistant Director of Information and Publication, Fatima Usara, on behalf of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Prof. Abdullahi Usman, NAHCON reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and adherence to due process.

While the commission neither confirmed nor denied the detention of its officials, it stressed that it maintains ongoing cooperation with relevant government agencies, including anti-graft bodies. “This cooperation is a standing principle of the commission’s operations and its belief in due process and the rule of law. The commission would not shield any staff or process found wanting,” the statement read.

Usara urged the public and the media to refrain from speculation, insisting that due process be allowed to take its course. “The commission respectfully urges the public and especially the media to exercise restraint on speculations and allow the appropriate authorities to conclude their work in accordance with established procedures, without subjecting perhaps innocent persons to indignity through media trials. We are confident that whatever the truth is, it will emerge through the appropriate channels,” she stated.

NAHCON said it remains focused on post-Hajj evaluations, addressing operational lapses, and improving service delivery for future pilgrimages.

Efforts to reach EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale for comments were unsuccessful as of press time.

This development comes less than a year after the EFCC invited former NAHCON chairman Jalal Arabi in August 2024 over allegations of mismanaging N90 billion in government funds meant to subsidise the 2024 Hajj. In the same period, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) also detained top NAHCON officials over the subsidy scandal. President Bola Tinubu later dismissed Arabi in October 2024 and appointed Prof. Usman as his replacement.