- Laundered funds were traced to the various bank accounts of the suspects
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has 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.
Head of Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale disclosed this in a statement on Monday.
The suspects are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
The commission’s spokesman said operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the commission arrested the suspects 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 Organisation, Medicins Sans Frontiers and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
“Preliminary investigation by the commission showed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections of the Board and current Permanent Secretary of the Board authorised the opening of a bank account in the name of ”BOIRS” at Sterling Bank where he 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 funneled 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,” the statement reads in part.
The commission said 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.
“They will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the commission said.
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