Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arrested 5 public servants working with Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over an alleged collusion to divert about N1.3bn owned by Katsina State government.
The suspects — Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri — were arrested after a petition from the Katsina State government, EFCC stated.
According to the petition, suspects were alleged to have colluded to divert funds from the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, confirming the arrest in a statement on Monday said the suspects were arrested following a report on their activities.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, authorised the opening of a Sterling Bank account named “BOIRS.”
The account, with sole signatories Sanusi Mohammed Yaro and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, reportedly became the channel for diverting the funds.
The funds were allegedly funnelled to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare at the Board.
Further investigations revealed that the company and its owner were the primary conduits for laundering the stolen money, which was traced to multiple bank accounts linked to the suspects.
The statement reads “Operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over alleged diversion of N1,294,337,676.53 belonging to the Katsina State Government.
“The suspects are, Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
“They were arrested following a petition from the Katsina state government alleging that the suspects colluded and diverted the sum of N1,294,337,676.53 accruing to the state from the World Health Organization, Medicins Sans Frontiers, Alliance for International Medical Action, ALIMA.
“Abdullahi 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 funnelled 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.
”Investigation further revealed that Nura Lawal and his company ”NADIKKO” became the principal conduits used to launder the stolen funds. These laundered funds were traced to the various bank accounts of the suspects.
“The suspects are currently being detained at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.”