Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have interrogated the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, over allegations of multi-billion-naira fraud.
Sources within the anti-graft agency confirmed that the NAHCON boss arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, accompanied by his personal lawyer, Kazeem Atetebi.
At the time of filing this report, Professor Pakistan was still being questioned by EFCC investigators over alleged large-scale financial misconduct linked to the 2024 and 2025 Hajj operations.
According to insiders, the probe covers several allegations, including:
* ₦25 billion allegedly spent on *Masha’ir* extra bed spaces;
* ₦1.6 billion allegedly disbursed for the travel expenses of NAHCON staff spouses;
* ₦8 billion purportedly spent on Makkah contingency accommodations;
* Over 300 percent extra-budgetary spending beyond the approved budget;
* ₦25 billion allegedly expended on officials, staff, and board members;
* ₦1.4 billion in allowances to committees; and
* Alleged manipulation of Madinah bed space allocations from 11,000 to 18,000 for 41,000 pilgrims.
Investigations revealed that Professor Pakistan had been scheduled to appear before the EFCC on September 17, 2025, but requested an extension to travel to Saudi Arabia. His appearance was later rescheduled to October 2 which he also failed to honor after returning to Nigeria.
Security sources at the Presidency disclosed that Pakistan attended a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima and other NAHCON officials on Monday, October 6, at the Presidential Villa. During the meeting, the Vice President directed NAHCON to review and reduce the 2026 Hajj fares.
However, the sources added that the Vice President also instructed Pakistan to report immediately to the EFCC to respond to their invitation — a directive he allegedly ignored, opting instead to attend the International Forum of Saudi Graduates in Abuja.
The EFCC has so far interrogated several top officials of NAHCON as part of the ongoing probe.
Those questioned include Dr. Mustapha Muhammad Ali, the Commission’s Secretary, who was grilled on September 16, 2025, and later released on bail. Others include:
Aliu Abdulrazak Commissioner for Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF);
Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal Commissioner for Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS);
Several directors, deputy and assistant directors, and special advisers to the chairman.
Some staff members and board officials of NAHCON reportedly welcomed the EFCC’s intervention, describing it as “a necessary step toward restoring integrity” to the commission.
“We are happy because justice is about to be served. The current leadership has dragged the commission’s image into the mud through unprecedented alleged misuse of public funds,” one senior official said.
They urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima to suspend both the Chairman and Secretary of the Commission to allow for an independent and unhindered investigation.
“Allowing Professor Pakistan and Dr. Ali to remain in office will jeopardize the probe,” another source added.
EFCC spokespersons have yet to issue an official statement regarding the ongoing investigation.
