Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secret Reporters
Hajj in Nigeria is now seen as an arable pasture where corruption is harvested in basketfuls. It appears here that corruption has penetrated all nooks and crannies of Nigeria, and not even an innermost corner is free. This is sequel to the Hajj report published last week by Secret Reporters where the First Lady of Bauchi state used the Hajj Pilgrimage in siphoning funds.
A source at the CUPS contacted Secret Reporters on the recent corruption development going on in the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
Here, he revealed that on Tuesday, 2/5/2015, the former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, forwarded to the Senate for approval, the name of Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Mohammad, as the new chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
It can be authoritatively stated here that- since his assumption of office, Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad has embarked on massive fraudulent activities, defrauding NAHCON of billions of Naira every year. Unfortunately, he has been doing so with impunity, until now.
‘’According to leaked information released to CUPS from ICPC files, NAHCON charges every pilgrim from Nigeria some N5,000, which is called “development levy”,’’ Stated Dr. Ahmed.
‘’The so called development levy is meant to be used for the maintenance of pilgrims’ camps and departure centres in Nigeria. Unfortunately, nobody knows what has been happening to this substantial amount of money, as it is NOT accounted for in HANCON account books.’’
‘’When one calculates the number of pilgrims that have been charged this fraudulent levy from 2014 when it started, to 2017, the amount accrues to over N5 billion!’’
‘’Furthermore, the leaked ICPC documents showed that there is massive fraud perpetrated by Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar Muhammad, in relation to securing pilgrims’ accommodation in Mina, Saudi Arabai.’’
‘’Before the commencement of Hajj rituals, 95 percent of Nigerian pilgrims go to Medina directly after staying in Mina briefly. The leaked ICPC document alleges that only 5% of our pilgrims go to Mina to stay, and that happens only after they have concluded their Arafat rituals.
So, the empty houses paid for by Nigerian pilgrims are rented out by Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar to pilgrims of other countries. The ICPC leaked document alleges that over 300,000 Saudi Riyals were generated from this fraudulent exercise. And the money has not been accounted for in NAHCON books!’’
Whilst speaking again on the issue, Dr. Idris Ahmed said, ‘’Fellow compatriots, the CUPS organisation will keep exposing the financial crimes of Alhaji Abdullahi Mukhtar, until he is made to face the full wrath of the law.’’
