EFCC probes ₦50bn fraud tied to NAHCON operations; Chairman’s brother arrested over suspicious Hajj fund spending

EFCC probes ₦50bn fraud in one of Nigeria’s most significant anti-corruption investigations targeting public institutions.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Mr. Sirajo Salisu Usman, the younger brother of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Chairman, over allegations linked to the mismanagement of massive Hajj-related funds.

Mr. Sirajo, who serves as a Deputy Director in the Chairman’s Office at NAHCON, was detained in Abuja on Wednesday. Sources confirmed he was still in EFCC custody as of midday Thursday.

The arrest of Sirajo follows weeks of questioning by the anti-graft agency. Insiders revealed that ₦50bn fraud tied to lavish and unexplained spending during the 2025 Hajj operations.

Investigators are focusing on approvals for multi-billion-naira contracts and expenses that allegedly lacked due process.

Among them are ₦25 billion spent on Masha’ir tents, ₦1.6 billion on spouses, and ₦8 billion on unused contingency accommodations in Makkah—much of which Sirajo reportedly coordinated.

Staff at NAHCON allege that Mr. Sirajo operated with unchecked authority, often bypassing formal leadership processes.

Sources say he signed off on memos and managed sensitive approvals, leveraging his close ties with the Chairman—Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, popularly known as “Pakistan.”

In one shocking example, Sirajo allegedly authorized ₦8 billion for thousands of unused Makkah bed spaces for non-existent pilgrims. That contract is now central to the probes.

An internal report from NAHCON’s finance department reportedly labeled the commission’s financial handling as “inefficient,” raising multiple red flags.

EFCC probes ₦50bn fraud across several departments within NAHCON.

On August 19, two commissioners—Aliu Abdulrazak and Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal—were also detained. Days earlier, senior finance, legal, and logistics officers were grilled.

The EFCC has also interrogated:

Makkah and Madinah coordinators
Data and e-contract processing teams
Screening committees for service providers
National Medical Team and religious leadership desk officers

This multi-layered investigation demonstrates EFCC’s resolve to uncover systemic corruption, especially when public trust and religious obligations are involved.

NAHCON is now in turmoil. Staff accuse Chairman Usman of ignoring directives from Vice President Kashim Shettima to disengage 26 political appointees.

Of these, 25 were reportedly sponsored on public funds for the Hajj—a move that angered many within the institution.

Amid the probe, commission insiders are calling for a full leadership overhaul, prosecution of offenders, and recovery of looted funds.

A two-day NAHCON board meeting this week reportedly ended with accusations of abuse of office and gross misconduct against the Chairman.

Employees have threatened to shut down operations if changes are not enforced.

As EFCC probes the ₦50bn fraud, the scandal is exposing deeper cracks in Nigeria’s pilgrimage and procurement systems. Civil society groups are demanding transparency, systemic reforms, and harsh penalties for all involved.