Operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five (5) officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over alleged diversion of ₦1,294,337,676.53 belonging to the state government.
According to EFCC, the suspects are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that they were arrested following a petition from the Katsina State Government alleging that the suspects colluded and diverted the sum of ₦1,294,337,676.53 accruing to the state from the World Health Organization (WHO), Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
“Preliminary investigation by the Commission showed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections of the Board and current Permanent Secretary of the Board authorized the opening of a bank account in the name of ”BOIRS” at Sterling bank where he allegedly designated Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Director of Revenue Account and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as sole signatories to the account.
“Subsequently, the account became the primary channel through which all the funds were allegedly funneled to the main beneficiary NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare of the Board,” the agency stated.
EFCC noted that investigation further revealed that Nura Lawal and his company ”NADIKKO” became the principal conduits used to launder the stolen funds, stressing that the “laundered funds were traced to the various bank accounts of the suspects.”
It also said that the suspects are currently being detained at its Kano Zonal Command, adding that they will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
