CISLAC Applauds ICPC for Investigating ₦90 Billion Hajj Subsidy Fraud
Maryam Aminu
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has praised the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for it’s recent investigation into the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The probe centers on allegations of misappropriating ₦90 billion in subsidies meant for Nigerian pilgrims who attended this year’s Hajj.
On Wednesday, the ICPC took decisive action by arresting several NAHCON officials who failed to comply with the commission’s invitation for questioning.
ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, stated, “We are investigating officials of the National Hajj Commission because they either failed or refused to honour the invitation. We, therefore, paid them a friendly visit.”
CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Ibrahim Musa Rafsanjani, expressed his alarm over the reports of widespread corruption within NAHCON.
Rafsanjani pointed out that despite substantial government funding, many pilgrims were left without adequate services during the Hajj.
“We commend the ICPC’s efforts to expose this monumental fraud and urge them to ensure that corruption is rooted out of our public institutions,” Rafsanjani said.
CISLAC Boss, who also leads Transparency International Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), highlighted the broader implications of such corruption, noting that it exacerbates the poverty situation in Nigeria.
He cited the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which reported that over 133 million Nigerians are living in multidimensional poverty.
“The level of fraud and disregard for institutional integrity have plunged millions of Nigerians into abject poverty while a few individuals amass wealth at the expense of the general populace,” Rafsanjani emphasized.
CISLAC called on the ICPC to continue its thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for the alleged fraud are held accountable.
Rafsanjani stressed the need for reforms within NAHCON and other public institutions to prevent such abuses in the future.
He also pointed out Nigeria’s low ranking on the 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index, urging the government to take more robust measures to tackle corruption and restore public trust in its institutions.
While reiterating commitment, he added that CISLAC remains vigilant in its fight against corruption and advocates for immediate reforms to address the socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria.
