EFCC cracks down on five Katsina Internal Revenue officials over alleged N1.3bn

Stanley Ihedigbo

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue for allegedly diverting a staggering N1.294 billion belonging to the Katsina State Government.

The arrests were made by operatives of the Kano Zonal Command of the EFCC, following a petition from the Katsina state government.

According to the Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Dele Oyewale, 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 from the Katsina state government alleging that the suspects colluded and diverted the over sum of N1.2bn accruing to the state from the World Health Organization, Medicins Sans Frontiers, Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

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 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.

The 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.