The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has granted bail to Jalal Arabi, the former chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, and the commission’s secretary, Abdullahi Kontagora. They were detained for alleged illegal withdrawal and mismanagement of the N90bn 2024 Hajj intervention fund. After five days in EFCC custody, they met their bail conditions and were released.
A source familiar with the matter confirmed their release on Monday, mentioning that no further recoveries had been made beyond the initial 314,098 Saudi Riyal.
The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was unavailable for comment at the time of reporting.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Arabi fraudulently overpaid himself and others from the N90bn Hajj subsidy. Recoveries included 314,098 Saudi Riyal. Documents also showed irregularities in payments and services provided by Shuraka’a al-Khair Group Ltd.
Despite the ongoing probe, President Bola Tinubu dismissed Arabi on August 19 and appointed Prof Abdullahi Usman as the new chairman.