EFCC Arrests Five Katsina Internal Revenue Officials for Alleged N1.3 Billion Fraud

EFCC Arrests Five Katsina Internal Revenue Officials for Alleged N1.3 Billion Fraud

Operatives from the Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue over allegations of diverting N1,294,337,676.53 (over one billion Naira) belonging to the Katsina State Government. This significant development highlights ongoing efforts to address corruption within government agencies.

The suspects include Rabiu Abdullahi, the former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board; Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, the Director of Revenue Account; and three others: Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro, Ibrahim Aliyu, and Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri, who serves as the Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare. Their arrests came after a petition from the Katsina State Government, which alleged collusion among the officials to divert substantial funds received from reputable organizations such as the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

Preliminary investigations revealed that Rabiu Abdullahi authorized the opening of a bank account in the name of "BOIRS" at Sterling Bank. He designated Sanusi Mohammed Yaro and Ibrahim M. Kofar Soro as sole signatories to this account, which allegedly became the primary channel for funneling the diverted funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers. This company is owned and controlled by Nura Lawal Kofar Sauri