Several top officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have been apprehended by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged mismanagement and diversion of N90 billion allocated by the Federal Government to subsidize the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

The arrests took place at the NAHCON offices after the officials failed to respond to prior invitations extended by the ICPC. Upon their arrival at the anti-graft agency’s office, the officials were subjected to hours of interrogation regarding the management of the subsidy funds.

An insider from the ICPC, speaking on the condition of anonymity, disclosed that the investigation was prompted by petitions accusing the officials of corrupt practices related to the Hajj subsidy. “On Wednesday, some of our men went to the Hajj commission’s office to bring the officials to our office after they ignored our invitations. They were questioned about the N90bn subsidy for pilgrims,” the source revealed.

ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare confirmed the arrests on Sunday, noting that the officials were released after meeting their bail conditions. He clarified that the commission’s chairman, Jalal Arabi, was not among those arrested. “Yes, they were in our office, but they were granted bail after fulfilling the required conditions. Investigations are ongoing,” Bakare stated.

He also denied rumors that the ICPC had shut down NAHCON’s offices, emphasizing that the agency only targeted officials who had failed to comply with the commission’s summons.

The arrests come just days after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) interrogated NAHCON Chairman Jalal Arabi over similar allegations concerning the N90 billion subsidy. This investigation follows concerns raised by Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, which prompted the National Assembly to launch a probe into NAHCON’s handling of the subsidy funds.

Despite the allegations, Arabi has maintained that the funds were utilized transparently. At a post-Hajj press conference in Abuja on July 29, he asserted that each pilgrim benefited from the subsidy, receiving N1,637,369.87, with additional support provided to those under the Hajj Savings Scheme (HSS). Arabi emphasized that the funds were managed appropriately and dismissed any insinuations of corruption.