The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC ) has handed over recovered funds totaling ₦837,485,389 to the Katsina State government following investigations into separate cases involving diversion of public funds.
The funds were handed over on Monday by the Kano Zonal Directorate of the anti-graft agency during a ceremony held at the commission’s office in Kano.
According to the EFCC, the recovery followed investigations into the alleged diversion of statutory tax remittances and fraudulent withdrawals from government accounts.
In the first case, the commission recovered ₦547,015,389 linked to the diversion of nearly ₦1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances belonging to the state government.
Key Highlights:
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission handed over ₦837.5 million in recovered funds to the Katsina State Government after investigations into separate cases of alleged public fund diversion.
- Of the recovered amount, ₦547 million was linked to the alleged diversion of nearly ₦1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances involving officials of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service and bank staff.
- The EFCC said the diverted funds originated from international organisations including World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and ALIMA.
- Another ₦290.47 million was recovered from a separate case involving alleged unauthorised withdrawals by former treasury officials in Katsina State through fake transactions and personal companies.
- The EFCC confirmed that several suspects have been arraigned, some already convicted, while others are still on trial, as the commission reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption and recovering public
The EFCC said the funds, sourced from international organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières and ALIMA, were allegedly diverted into a private bank account by six personnel of the board of internal revenue service and three bank officials.
The commission disclosed that 12 suspects were arraigned in connection with the matter, adding that six had already been convicted after pleading guilty, while the remaining suspects were standing trial before the Katsina State High Court.
The anti-corruption agency also said it recovered another ₦290,470,000 from a separate fraud case uncovered through a 2021 intelligence report.
According to the EFCC, investigations revealed that former Sub-Treasurer, Sani Lawal BK and former Deputy Sub-Treasurer, Saadu Maiwada in the office of the accountant general of Katsina State allegedly diverted public funds into personal companies through unauthorised cash withdrawals from the state’s sub-treasury expenditure account.
The commission stated that no contracts were awarded and no services rendered to justify the withdrawals.
It added that the suspects were arraigned on July 11, 2023 on charges bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of funds before federal and state high courts, where trial has commenced.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kano Zonal Director of the EFCC, Friday Ebelo, said the recovery underscored the commission’s commitment to protecting public resources and ensuring accountability in public service.
“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,” Ebelo said.
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He warned public officials against financial misconduct, stressing that the commission would continue to pursue all forms of corruption and abuse of office.
Receiving the recovered funds on behalf of the state government, Kabir Abdullahi Yantumaki, Executive Director of Standard and Compliance at the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service, commended the EFCC for its professionalism and diligence.
Yantumaki assured that the funds would be paid into the state’s consolidated revenue account and utilised for the benefit of residents.
