The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Kano Zonal Command, has detained five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly diverting 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 suspects include Rabiu Abdullahi, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri.

Their arrest followed a petition submitted by the Katsina State Government, which alleged that the officials colluded to misappropriate funds accruing to the state. The funds reportedly came from organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

Initial investigations by the EFCC revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi, the former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, approved the opening of a bank account under the name “BOIRS” at Sterling Bank. He allegedly appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, the Director of Revenue Accounts, and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as sole signatories to the account. This account reportedly became the main channel through which funds were siphoned to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company allegedly owned and operated by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, an Assistant Director of Career Skills and Staff Welfare at the Board.

Further findings indicated that Nura Lawal and his company, NADIKKO, played key roles in laundering the stolen funds. These illicitly obtained sums were traced to various bank accounts linked to the suspects.

The five suspects are currently in custody at the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC. They will face prosecution after the investigation is concluded.