The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Command, has arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly diverting N1,294,337,676.53 meant for the state government.

The suspects, identified as Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, were taken into custody following a petition from the Katsina State Government.

The petition alleged that the officials conspired to misappropriate funds provided by international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

In a statement, the EFCC disclosed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and the current Permanent Secretary of the Board, allegedly authorized the opening of a bank account under the name “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank.

“Rabiu Abdullahi appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, the Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as the sole signatories to the account. This account served as a conduit for diverting funds to a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri,” EFCC revealed.

According to EFCC, Nura Lawal, an Assistant Director in Career Skills and Staff Welfare, used his company, NADIKKO General Suppliers, to launder the stolen funds, which were subsequently distributed across various accounts belonging to the suspects.

“The laundered funds were traced to several bank accounts linked to the suspects,” the statement added.

The EFCC confirmed that the suspects are currently in detention at its Kano Zonal Command.

“The investigation is ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court as soon as it is concluded,” EFCC stated.