EFCC detains five Katsina IRS officials for ‘diverting N1.29bn’ from WHO

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) says it has detained five officials of Katsina State Internal Revenue Service over alleged N1.29 billion fraud.

In a statement on Monday, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC spokesperson, said the officials diverted N1.29 billion belonging to the state government.

Oyewale said the suspects are Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu and Nura Lawal Sauri.

“They were arrested 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 Organization, Medicins Sans Frontiers, Alliance for International Medical Action, (ALIMA),” EFCC said.

“Preliminary investigation by the commission showed that Rabiu Abdullahi, a former director of collections of the board and current permanent secretary of the board authorized 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.

“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.”

Oyewale said the officials will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.