The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has handed over recovered funds totaling ₦837,485,389 to the Katsina State Government following investigations into two separate cases involving the diversion of public funds.
The handover was carried out on Monday by the Kano Zonal Directorate of the Commission during a ceremony held at the EFCC office in Kano.
According to the Commission, the first recovery involved ₦547,015,389 linked to the diversion of nearly ₦1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances belonging to the state government.
The EFCC said the funds originated from international organisations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and ALIMA, but were allegedly diverted into a private bank account by six officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue Service and three bank workers.
The anti-graft agency disclosed that 12 suspects were charged to court in connection with the case. Six of them have reportedly been convicted after pleading guilty, while the remaining suspects are currently standing trial before the Katsina State High Court.
In the second case, the Commission recovered ₦290,470,000 traced to an alleged fraud uncovered through intelligence reports in 2021.
Investigators 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, diverted the funds into personal companies through unauthorized withdrawals from the state’s Sub-Treasury Expenditure Account.
The EFCC stated that investigations showed no contracts were awarded and no services were 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 trials are ongoing, with witnesses already testifying before the courts.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, the 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 corrupt 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 also warned public officials against financial misconduct, stressing that the EFCC would continue to pursue cases of corruption and abuse of public trust.
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 its efforts and professionalism.
Yantumaki assured that the funds would be properly remitted into the state’s consolidated revenue account and used for the benefit of residents of the state.