EFCC Arrests 5 Katsina Internal Revenue Officials For Alleged N1.3bn Fraud
Operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested five officials of Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue.
The officials are suspected to have diverted 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 state government.
The suspects are, Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.
They were arrested following a petition lodged with the EFCC by the state government.
The alleged that the five suspects colluded and diverted N1,294,337,676.53 that accrued to the state from the World Health Organisation, Medicins Sans Frontiers, and Alliance for International Medical Action, ALIMA.
The EFCC said its preliminary investigation showed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections of the Board, now Permanent Secretary, 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 signatories.
“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, the Assistant Director, Career Skills and Staff Welfare of the board.
“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.”