Admist Probe, Tinubu Sacks NAHCON Chairman

President Bola Tinubu has removed Jalal Arabi as Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), amidst an ongoing investigation.

According to a statement by his Presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu has nominated Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman as the new Chairman of NAHCON.

“Professor Usman is a renowned scholar with qualifications from two Islamic centres of excellence — the University of Madinah and Peshawar University, Pakistan. He is also well-grounded in Hajj operations, having served as the Chairman of Kano State Pilgrims Board, and successfully superintended the operations of the largest quota of state pilgrims in the country.

The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate. The President expects the new Chairman of NAHCON to discharge his duties with integrity, transparency, and utmost fidelity to the nation.”

Jalal Arabi’s tenure was marred by controversy surrounding the 2024 Hajj subsidy, leading to his arrest by the EFCC alongside Secretary Abdullahi Kontagora.

An Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) source claimed to have recovered 314,098 Saudi Riyals from Arabi, amid allegations of financial impropriety related to the N90 billion Hajj subsidy released by the Federal Government.

“The chairman fraudulently overpaid himself, the commissioners, secretary and directors for the 2024 hajj operational cost.

The chairman was entitled to SR15,929 but he got SR50,000; three commissioners who were meant to get SR 15,929 each received SR 40,000 each. The secretary got SR 30,000 instead of SR14,336. Directors/Chief of Staff received SR 30,000 instead of the SR2,550 they were entitled to. The total of SR314,098 were recovered from all of them,” the source said.