Tinubu sacks Jalal Arabi amid NAHCON investigation

President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Jalal Arabi from his position as Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).

Ajuri Ngelale, the Presidential spokesman, announced this in a statement and introduced Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Chairman of the agency.

“Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centers of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan.

“He is also well-versed in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of the Kano State Pilgrims Board and successfully overseen the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.”

“The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to perform his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”

Arabi, who was appointed in October, encountered difficulties related to the 2024 Hajj, for which the Federal Government released ₦90 billion for subsidies.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arrested Arabi and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora, in connection with the issue.

An EFCC source revealed that a total of 314,098 Saudi Riyals was recovered from the dismissed NAHCON chairman.

“The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each. The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to. The total of SR314,098 were recovered from all of them,” the source said.

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