EFCC Nabs Katsina Revenue Officials in N1.29 Billion Fraud Scheme
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Kano Zonal Command has arrested five officials from the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly embezzling N1,294,337,676.53 intended for the state government. The suspects, identified as Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, were detained following a petition filed by the Katsina State Government.
The petition accused the officials of conspiring to misappropriate funds provided by international health organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
In a statement, the EFCC detailed how Rabiu Abdullahi, the former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, allegedly authorized the opening of a bank account named “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank. Abdullahi appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, the Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as the sole signatories to this account, which served as a channel for diverting the funds to a company owned by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
According to the EFCC, Nura Lawal, an Assistant Director in Career Skills and Staff Welfare, used his company, NADIKKO General Suppliers, to launder the stolen funds. These funds were subsequently transferred to various accounts linked to the suspects.
The EFCC confirmed that the suspects are currently in detention at its Kano Zonal Command. The investigation is ongoing, and the suspects are expected to be charged in court once the probe is completed.
