Operatives from the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five officials from the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue for their alleged involvement in the diversion of N1,294,337,676.53 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Ninety-Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty-Seven Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy-Six Naira, Fifty-Three Kobo) belonging to the Katsina State Government.
The arrested individuals include Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri. Their arrests followed a petition filed by the Katsina State Government, which alleged that the suspects colluded to divert funds meant for the state from international organizations such as the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).
Preliminary investigations by the EFCC revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and the current Permanent Secretary of the Board, authorized the opening of a bank account under the name “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank. He allegedly appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Director of Revenue Account, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as the sole signatories to this account. The account subsequently became the primary channel through which the diverted funds were funneled to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare at the Board.
Further investigations disclosed that Nura Lawal and his company, NADIKKO, were used as the principal conduits for laundering the stolen funds, which were traced to various bank accounts belonging to the suspects.
The suspects are currently detained at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC and will be charged in court upon the conclusion of the investigations.
