By Paul Joseph
The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has handed over recovered funds totaling ₦837,485,389 to the Katsina State Government following investigations into separate cases involving alleged diversion of public funds.
The handover ceremony took place on Monday at the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate, where the Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Friday S. Ebelo, formally presented the recovered money to Dr. Kabir Abdullahi Yantumaki, Executive Director of Standard and Compliance at the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service.
According to the Commission, the first recovery involved ₦547,015,389 linked to the alleged diversion of nearly ₦1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances belonging to the state government.
The EFCC disclosed that the funds, sourced from international organisations including the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and ALIMA, were allegedly diverted into a private bank account by six personnel of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue Service alongside three bank employees.
The anti-graft agency stated that 12 suspects were arraigned in connection with the fraud. Six of the defendants have already been convicted after pleading guilty, while the remaining six are currently facing trial before the Katsina State High Court.
In a separate investigation, the EFCC recovered another ₦290,470,000 traced to an alleged fraud uncovered through a 2021 intelligence report.
Investigators alleged that former Sub-Treasurer Sani Lawal BK and former Deputy Sub-Treasurer Saadu Maiwada, both officials in the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State, colluded to divert public funds into personal companies through unauthorized cash withdrawals from the state’s Sub-Treasury Expenditure Account.
The Commission said investigations showed that no contracts were awarded and no services rendered to justify the withdrawals.
The suspects were subsequently arraigned on July 11, 2023, on charges bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public funds before both Federal and State High Courts. According to the EFCC, hearings have commenced with witnesses already testifying before the courts.
Speaking during the handover, Ebelo said the recovery reflected the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding public resources and ensuring accountability among public officials.
“This money belongs to the people of Katsina State, and I will urge that same be used for the betterment of the people of Katsina State,” he stated.
He further warned public office holders against violating due process, stressing that the EFCC would continue to pursue financial crimes and recover stolen public assets.
Responding on behalf of the state government, Yantumaki commended the EFCC for what he described as diligent and professional investigative work.
He assured that the recovered funds would be remitted into the state’s consolidated revenue account and used for the benefit of the people of Katsina State.
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