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Stakeholders hail EFCC for grilling ex-NAHCON boss Zikirullah over alleged hajj fraud
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
Hajj stakeholders in Nigeria have commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for grilling the immediate past Chairman and CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Zikirullah Kunle Hassan over alleged multibillion naira fraud.
The anti-graft agency on Monday quizzed Zikirullah for hours at its head office in Abuja over various allegations of corruption and mismanagement of public funds during his four-year stint at the hajj commission.
Officials at the headquarters of the anti-graft agency in Abuja said Mr Zikirullah was grilled by a crack investigators of the EFCC over alleged fraud running into billions of naira.
A source who spoke under the condition of anonymity said, “Mr Zikirullah was with our detectives today (Monday) for hours. But he was later released on bail. He would return to us on Wednesday.”
Further findings revealed that Mr Zikirullah was being investigated for alleged 92 million Saudi Riyal fraud. “When he came on board in January 2020, he met 92 million Saudi Riyal on the Saudi Arabia NAHCON account, which is royalty funds left intact by two successive administrations of the board. But he depleted the account to 37 million Saudi Riyal as of 2022, after conducting one hajj operation, an official in the agency said.
The former chairman, the insider said, is also being investigated for allegedly squandering N3.2 billion hajj development levy fund; about N2.5 billion meant for renovation and furnishing of NAHCON headquarters (Hajj House) and also construction of Hajj Institute at CBD in Abuja.
Other issues are pilgrims’ hajj refunds; procurement fraud; concession of public lands without due process; illegal payment to family members from official purse, among others.
Other areas under investigation, according to the anti-corruption agency’s insiders, include the introduction of three new fraudulent budget lines in 2022 and 2023 budgets, passed under President Buhari. He was said to have allegedly defrauded the government of N600 million in connivance with some lawmakers. The three budget lines were, however, removed under President Bola Tinubu.
EFCC is also probing Mr Zikirullah’s introduction of 5% percent additional charges on accommodations, feeding, Mu’assasah services in Masha’er, among others.
Mr Zikirullah’s interrogation comes just a week after The Companion, an umbrella body for Muslims in business and professionals in the Southwest, organized a phantom event to celebrate his stint at NAHCON.
Alleging that the event was bankrolled by Mr Zikirullah, the executive secretaries of the six Southwest states and other members of the hajj family boycotted the event which took place in Lagos a week ago.
The Southwest secretaries have accused Zikirullah in a petition of withholding their 2022 hajj refunds for poor services and those services that were not rendered.
In a petition, the executive secretaries of Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states, categorically accused Mr Zikirullah of “unjustifiably” excluding them from the 2022 hajj refunds for services not rendered or rendered unsatisfactory to their pilgrims.
The pilgrims’ administrators expressed astonishment as to why Mr Zikirullah would be honoured or celebrated for conducting the worst hajj operations in NAHCON’s history and withholding their refunds.
However, this newspaper reports that the event was attended by some top Southwest politicians who are known political enemies of President Bola Tinubu.
They include Mr Rauf Aregbesola — Mr Zikirullah’s godfather, a two-term former Governor of Osun and Minister of Interior — who parted ways with Mr Tinubu; and Mr Muiz Banire, a former national legal adviser to the APC and AMCON chairman, and erstwhile associate of the president.
The hajj stakeholders said EFCC’s quizzing Zikirullah will spur confidence in the sector, reiterating that the anti-corruption agency would do a diligent investigation to recover public funds and make the culprits face the full wrath of the law.
“It is a good omen for the Hajj industry in Nigeria. The investigations would serve as a deterrent to hajj officials at the federal and state levels,” one of the officials said.
A chief executive of one of the states pilgrims boards, who declined being named, said the introduction of 5% was “contradictory at a time he was busy saying he would reduce hajj cost.
It was on record that the administrations before him conducted hajj operations with zero government funding and without introducing additional deductions of 5%.”
The pilgrims administrator said by introducing the 5% revenue, “it means every pilgrim paid additional N200,000. He increased the pilgrims burden, instead of lessening them.”
On the purported celebration of Zikirulah’s achievements, a catering service provider said the so-called celebration was unfortunate. “He superintended a regime that was [allegedly] collecting bribes for every contract. What is there to celebrate?,” the service provider, who requested anonymity said.
Another pilgrims official said the former NAHCON chief “performed two hajj operations that failed to airlift 6,000 pilgrims in 2022; and the worse one since 1980s that left thousands pilgrims stranded in Muna in 2023. That is his scorecard.”
Speaking on hajj saving scheme and hajj institute, another stakeholder said the institute was not in tandem with original concept. “He was left with money, land and local and foreign universities partners for curriculum development. But he ended up doing a shoddy job. It was same sad story on the hajj saving scheme. He operated it without recourse to the extant law, making the senate to declare it illegal.”
This newspaper gathered that the EFCC was working in dozen petitions and documents supplied by whistleblowers and other insiders from the commission.
News
President Tinubu Speaks On Ajuri Ngelale’s Indefinite Leave Request
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has endorsed Ajuri Ngelale, the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, indefinite leave request.
Recall Ngelale, in a statement on Saturday, announced an indefinite leave of absence.
He proceeded on the leave to attend to pressing medical matters affecting his immediate family.
In a statement he posted on his general communication WhatsApp platform on Saturday, Ngelale revealed that he submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff on Friday.
He noted that the memo was a means of notifying him of the decision to pause his functions, including his roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
Ngelale explained that the decision was after consultations with his family due to a worsening medical situation at home.
He expressed hope to return to full-time national service when circumstances permit.
In a statement posted on X by Tinubu’s Special Assistant on New Media, Olusegun Dada and signed by the Presidency, Tinubu approved Ngelale’s request.
Tinubu stated that he fully understands his Chief spokesperson’s reason and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
The statement read: “The President has received the memo from Chief Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media & Publicity and Official Spokesperson of the President as well as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action, informing of his decision to proceed on an indefinite leave of absence for personal and health reasons.
“The President accepts his reasons for the leave, fully understands them and sympathizes with the circumstances that have led to this seemingly difficult decision.
“While extending his heartfelt prayers and best wishes to Chief Ngelale and his family during this challenging moment, the President hopes for a speedy recovery and full restoration to health.
“The President notes his tireless efforts and dedication in serving the nation, and thanks him for the remarkable contributions he made in his various capacities, especially in advancing national discourse and leading efforts on climate action and other key initiatives.
“The President wishes him well in all his future endeavors.
“During this period, we kindly ask that the wish for privacy of Chief Ngelale and his family be respected.”
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Confusion As FG Denies Ownership Of Yacht Spotted In France With Nigerian Flag
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…says it belongs to an undisvcosed private individual
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The presidency, on Saturday, denied ownership of a yacht spotted hoisting Nigerian flag in St-Tropez, a coastal town in France.
There had been reports of a “presidential yacht belonging to the Nigerian government being used for vacation at St Tropez” on social media.
Senior Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on digital and new media, Otega Ogra, in a post on X, said the yacht belongs to a private individual.
The presidential aide said flags used by the president or armed forces do not contain the coat of arms like the one on the yacht.
Ogra said on Saturday, “There have been false claims circulating that a private individual’s yacht was spotted in St. Tropez is a Nigerian government yacht. Here are some points to consider in order to discern the truth.
“The 42m Bennetti yacht currently being shared online has been privately owned for around 5 years since it was constructed.
It is important to note that this specific yacht has no connection or ownership ties to the Nigerian government, president or armed forces. Any claims or assertions suggesting otherwise are simply not true and inaccurate.
“It is not uncommon for luxury yachts to fly the flag of the owner’s country as well as the flag of the country in which they are registered.
“The official Nigerian flag is Green-White-Green without a coat of arms in the middle. Flags representing the Nigerian President or the Armed Forces do not contain a coat of arms in the center. Placing anything in the center of the flag is a clear deviation
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Constituency Devt: Senator Manu fulfils promise, installs solar energy as alternative source of power for constituents(Photos)
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
In a bid to enhance better life for his constituents, Senator Manu Haruna has facilatated installation of solar energy in Takalafiya community in Bali Local Government Area of Taraba State.
Senator Manu who represents Taraba Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly fulfilled his promise of ensuring the energy needs of his constituents are adequately taken care of.
This initiative reflects his unwavering commitment to addressing the energy needs of his constituents by providing a reliable and sustainable power source.
The solar energy project is expected to improve the quality of life in the community, enabling access to electricity for homes, schools, and local businesses, while also promoting environmental sustainability.
This project is part of Senator Haruna’s broader efforts to enhance infrastructure and development in Taraba Central.
Manu is also working tirelessly to make sure areas not connected to the national grid are connected within the shortest period possible.
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