Photos: EFCC Arraigns Revenue Officials, Bank Staff Over Alleged N1.2 Billion Tax Diversion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned six individuals in Katsina over an alleged diversion of more than N1.2 billion in public funds. The accused include five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue and one bank employee.

According to a statement posted on the EFCC’s official X handle, the suspects were arraigned on Tuesday, August 5, before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court. They face a seven-count charge relating to conspiracy and criminal diversion of public funds.

The defendants—Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi, and Adam Alhassan Albashir, a Public Sector Relationship Manager with First Bank—are alleged to have conspired to divert tax remittances amounting to N1,235,330,000. The funds were reportedly tax payments made to the Katsina State Government by international humanitarian organisations, including the World Health Organisation, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. While EFCC counsel Musa Isah opposed their bail applications, Justice Danladi granted each of them bail in the sum of N5 million. Each defendant is also required to provide one surety who must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and possess verifiable landed property.

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