Revenue board officials arrested by EFCC upon state government petition
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
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“The account became a primary channel for allegedly diverting funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills and Staff Welfare on the Board.
The company allegedly served as the conduit through which the stolen funds were laundered” – EFCC
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A petition by the Katsina government has prompted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest five officials of the state Board of Internal Revenue over alleged diversion of N1,294,337,676.53.
The petition alleged that the suspects – named as Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Sauri – colluded to divert revenue accruing from international organisations.
The state government listed the organisations to include the World Health Organisation (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA), per Leadership reporting.
Investigation by the EFCC reportedly revealed that Abdullahi (former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary on the Board) allegedly authorised the opening of an account in Sterling Bank in the name of “BOIRS” with Yaro (Director of Revenue Account) and Soro allegedly designated as sole signatories to the account.
The EFCC also disclosed that
- The account became a primary channel for allegedly diverting funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills and Staff Welfare on the Board.
- The company allegedly served as the conduit through which the stolen funds were laundered.
- The diverted funds were traced to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects.
- The suspects are currently in custody at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC to be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to combating corruption and recovering public funds, urging citizens to report any suspected cases of financial misconduct.
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