The Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five officials from the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over their involvement in the alleged diversion of N1,294,337,676.53 (over one billion Naira) belonging to the Katsina State Government.
The arrested individuals are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
According to EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the suspects are currently in detention at the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Command and will face charges once the investigation is concluded.
The arrest followed a petition from the Katsina State Government, which accused the officials of conspiring to divert the substantial amount of money from international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
Initial investigations revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, the former Director of Collections and now the Permanent Secretary of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue, authorized the opening of a bank account in the name of “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank.
Abdullahi allegedly appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, the Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as the sole signatories to the account. It was through this account that the diverted funds were channeled.
Further inquiry uncovered that the funds were funneled to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director at the Board.
The investigation revealed that the company was used as the primary vehicle to launder the stolen funds, which were traced to various bank accounts controlled by the suspects.
