The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has taken into custody five officials from the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue, accused of misappropriating N1,294,337,676.53 belonging to the Katsina State Government.The arrests were executed by the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Command, acting on a petition filed by the Katsina State Government.
“They were arrested following a petition from the Katsina state government alleging that the suspects colluded and diverted the sum of N1,294,337,676.53 accruing to the state from the World Health Organization, Medicins Sans Frontiers, Alliance for International Medical Action, ALIMA,” the statement read.
The EFCC identified five suspects allegedly involved in the diversion of funds:
- Rabiu Abdullahi: Former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue.
- Sanusi Mohammed Yaro: Director of Revenue Account.
- Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro: Another key official involved in the alleged scheme.
- Ibrahim Aliyu: A member of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue.
- Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri: Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare and owner of NADIKKO General Suppliers.
The petition alleged that the suspects conspired to divert the funds into a bank account named “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank.
“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,” they stated.
Funds siphoned through NADIKKO
Further investigations by the EFCC uncovered that the misappropriated funds were channeled through an account to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, who serves as Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare at the Board.
“Nura Lawal and his company ‘NADIKKO’ became the principal conduits used to launder the stolen funds,” the comission noted. The laundered funds were traced to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects. The commission revealed that the suspects are currently detained at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC. The anti-graft agency confirmed that “they will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.”
Know this; The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) took a bold step to maintain its integrity by dismissing 27 officers in 2024 due to their involvement in fraudulent activities and misconduct. This move demonstrates the commission’s commitment to zero tolerance for corruption. Additionally, the EFCC is investigating 10 officers from its Lagos Zonal Command regarding missing items linked to them.
The dismissals were made possible after the EFCC’s Staff Disciplinary Committee recommended disciplinary actions, which were subsequently approved by the Commission’s Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede. This showcases the commission’s dedication to upholding transparency and accountability within its ranks.
