The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday interrogated Jalal Arabi, Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, over alleged mismanagement of funds related to the 2024 Hajj exercise, among other issues.
Arabi arrived at the EFCC’s headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, around 10 am and was questioned for several hours. According to sources familiar with the matter, the interrogation was prompted by multiple petitions filed against him and his management team.
A source disclosed, “He was invited to the commission’s office to explain how his commission spent the N90 billion subsidy provided for the 2024 Hajj exercise. His invitation resulted from petitions against the chairman and his management team regarding alleged fund mismanagement in the commission, dating back to 2021.”
Three directors from the Hajj Commission, including the directors of procurement, finance, and programme, have also been summoned to provide information about the allegations.
The source mentioned that Arabi might not be detained, saying, “He may not be detained but will be asked to return if needed. He is currently still being interrogated. The CEO has been invited, has honoured the invitation, and will likely be allowed to go since he is complying. The new EFCC operates by international best practices, and most people invited are allowed to leave if they comply.”
When contacted, EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said he would provide more details but had not done so by the time of filing this report.
On Monday, Arabi stated that the N90 billion approved by President Bola Tinubu was used to subsidize the fare for pilgrims. He explained, “Each pilgrim was supported with N1,637,369.87 from the N90bn, except for pilgrims under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS) who received more. Therefore, all registered intending pilgrims, except those on HSS, were required to pay a balance of N1,918,094.87 since the N90bn was insufficient to cover the total balance.”
