The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Mr. Sirajo Salisu Usman, brother to the Chairman and CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, popularly known as “Pakistan,” over alleged fraud running into more than N50 billion.
Mr. Sirajo, nicknamed “Ka fi Chairman”, loosely translated as “de facto NAHCON Chairman”, was arrested on Wednesday in Abuja and spent the night in EFCC custody, sources confirmed. He currently serves as Deputy Director in the Chairman’s Office and is said to wield enormous influence within the commission.
“The chairman’s brother is still in EFCC detention as of 12 p.m. Thursday,” a source at NAHCON told SaharaReporters.
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According to insiders, Mr. Sirajo’s arrest is linked to ongoing investigations into alleged financial mismanagement during the 2025 Hajj, including N25 billion reportedly spent on Masha’ir tents, N1.6 billion on spouses, and N8 billion on unused contingency accommodations in Makkah.
On August 19, the EFCC also detained NAHCON’s Commissioner of Policy, Personnel and Finance (PPMF), Aliu Abdulrazak, and the Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services (PRSILS), Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal, over similar allegations. Earlier, on August 7, other senior officials including Legal Adviser Barrister Nura Danladi and Deputy Director (Accounts) Abdulmalik Diggi were also questioned.
Sources within NAHCON allege that Mr. Sirajo has long acted as the commission’s power broker, often vetting or approving documents on behalf of his elder brother. “Mr. Sirajo is the one making comments on all NAHCON memos. The chairman only signs them. That is why staff are urging EFCC to conduct a forensic review of all approvals,” a senior official alleged.
Investigators are reportedly probing questionable expenditures, including N8 billion lost to 6,500 unused contingency bed spaces in Makkah. A confidential NAHCON finance department report also described the agency’s books as reflecting “considerable financial inefficiency.”
Despite NAHCON spokesperson Fatima Usara’s claims that the detentions were “routine operations,” EFCC sources insist the probe covers alleged procurement fraud, misappropriation of public funds, and abuse of office.
The anti-graft agency has interrogated various NAHCON officials in recent weeks, including coordinators for Makkah and Madinah, aviation officers, and members of the National Medical and clerics’ teams.
Meanwhile, stakeholders are demanding a complete overhaul of NAHCON, the recovery of all misappropriated funds, and prosecution of those found culpable.
Insider reports suggest the NAHCON Board, in a two-day meeting, accused Professor Usman of multiple breaches, including violating procurement laws, acting as a sole administrator, and ignoring directives from Vice President Kashim Shettima to disengage “pool officers.” Staff members are now threatening protests if these issues remain unresolved.
