EFCC arrests 5 Katsina revenue officials for alleged ₦1.3bn fraud
Operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over the alleged diversion of ₦1,294,337,676.53 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira, Fifty-Three Kobo) belonging to the Katsina State Government.
Dele Oyewale, Head, Media & Publicity of EFCC, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The suspects are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
They were arrested following a petition from the Katsina State Government, alleging that the suspects colluded to divert ₦1,294,337,676.53 accruing to the state from the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections 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. The account became the primary channel through which all funds were allegedly funneled to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director at the Board.
Further investigation showed that Nura Lawal and his company “NADIKKO” became the main conduits used to launder the stolen funds, which were traced to various bank accounts of the suspects.
The suspects are currently being detained at the EFCC Kano Zonal Command and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
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