The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has handed over recovered funds totaling ₦837.5 million to the Katsina State Government following separate investigations into alleged diversion of public funds and tax remittances linked to state officials and bank employees.
The funds were officially presented on Monday by the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate during a handover ceremony in Kano.
According to the anti-graft agency, ₦547.02 million was recovered after investigations into the diversion of nearly ₦1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances belonging to Katsina State. The EFCC said the funds, originating from international donor organisations including the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and ALIMA, were allegedly diverted into a private bank account by six officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue Service and three bank employees.
The Commission disclosed that 12 suspects were charged to court over the alleged fraud. Six defendants have already been convicted after pleading guilty, while six others are currently standing trial before the Katsina State High Court.
In a separate case, the EFCC said it recovered another ₦290.47 million linked to what it described as a systemic fraud uncovered through a 2021 intelligence report.
The agency alleged that former Sub-Treasurer Sani Lawal BK and former Deputy Sub-Treasurer Saadu Maiwada 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.
Investigators reportedly found that no contracts were awarded and no services rendered to justify the withdrawals.
The suspects were arraigned on July 11, 2023 on charges bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of funds before both Federal and State High Courts. The EFCC said trials are ongoing, with witnesses currently testifying before the courts.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Kano Zonal Director of the EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Friday S. Ebelo, said the recovery reflected the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding public resources and holding public officials accountable.
“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.
He added that the recoveries resulted from extensive investigative efforts by EFCC operatives and warned that the Commission would continue to pursue financial crimes involving public funds.
Receiving the recovered funds on behalf of the state government, Dr. Kabir Abdullahi Yantumaki, Executive Director of Standard and Compliance at the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service, commended the EFCC for what he described as its diligence and professionalism.
Yantumaki assured that the recovered money would be paid into the state’s consolidated revenue account and used for the benefit of citizens.
