The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is investigating Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, NAHCON, over alleged mismanagement of funds running into billions of naira.
Professor Pakistan appeared at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja with his lawyer, Kazeem Atetebi, where he was interrogated before being granted bail. He was instructed to report daily to the commission until investigations are concluded, Premium Times reports.
Sources said the probe centers on unauthorized spending, inflated budgets, and questionable expenditures during the 2025 Hajj operations. Pakistan allegedly exceeded his $14 million budget by over 300 percent, spending about $48 million without approval.
The EFCC is also examining several disputed transactions, including N25 billion on Masha’ir bed spaces, N1.6 billion on staff spouses, N8 billion for Makkah contingencies, and N1.4 billion in committee allowances. He is further accused of inflating Madinah bed spaces from 11,000 to 18,000 for 41,000 pilgrims.
More than 20 NAHCON staff have been questioned, many reportedly linking the alleged irregularities to Pakistan. He had previously failed to honor EFCC invitations in September and early October before appearing this week.
According to sources, Usman presented himself at the EFCC headquarters earlier today in response to a formal invitation.
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He was subsequently released on administrative bail but is required to report to the Commission daily as investigations continue.
The probe follows mounting allegations of corruption within the Commission, including the alleged diversion and misappropriation of over N50 billion.
Specific allegations include the unauthorized use of N25 billion for Masha’ir tents, N7.9 billion for contingency housing and N1.6 billion in travel expenses for spouses of officials.
The EFCC had last month detained NAHCON’s Commissioner for Policy, Personnel and Finance, Aliu Abdulrazak, and Director of Finance and Accounts, Aminu Y. Muhammed, over their involvement in the scandal.
Both officials are said to be cooperating with investigators.
While Usman has not been formally charged, sources within the Presidency have confirmed that his Villa security clearance has been revoked pending the outcome of the investigation—a strong indication of the seriousness with which the government is treating the matter.
In an earlier appearance before the House of Representatives during a public hearing, the NAHCON Chairman had admitted there were “dirty deals” within the organization but vowed to support all efforts aimed at transparency and accountability.
A statement from NAHCON said the commission “will not shield any staff or process found wanting” and expressed its willingness to cooperate fully with relevant authorities.
Daily News
