Days after SOCIETY REPORTERS reported the story of how the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) grilled the Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Malam Jalal Arabi, over alleged mismanagement of 2024 Hajj exercise fund, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arrested some officials of the commission over the ongoing investigation of the N90 billion hajj subsidy.
This much was confirmed by the spokesperson of the ICPC, Demola Bakare who told newsmen that some NAHCON officials were arrested by the commission on Wednesday for “refusing to honour an invitation” by the anti-graft agency.
Bakare refuted reports that NAHCON’s office was shut down by the ICPC, emphasising that the commission operates within legal boundaries.
He declined to name the arrested officials, noting that they were assisting the commission with useful information.
“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,” he said.
“We didn’t shut down the commission as reported by some journalists. ICPC operates within the confines of the law.
“Officials arrested, which I can’t name, were released on bail and would henceforth be helping the investigation process until concluded.”