EFCC Detains NAHCON Chairman’s Brother Over Alleged ₦50bn Hajj Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained Mr. Sirajo Salisu Usman, younger brother to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman (popularly known as “Pakistan”), over alleged multi-billion-naira fraud.
Mr. Sirajo, a Deputy Director in the Chairman’s Office, was arrested by EFCC operatives on Wednesday in Abuja after earlier interrogations this month alongside other senior officials. Sources disclosed that he spent Wednesday night in EFCC custody and remained under detention as of Thursday noon.
Well-known within the commission by the nickname “Ka fi Chairman”—loosely translated as “the de facto chairman”—Mr. Sirajo is alleged to wield enormous influence in NAHCON, often approving sensitive documents and financial transactions on behalf of his brother.
Investigations link his arrest to the alleged misappropriation of over ₦50 billion in public funds under Professor Usman’s leadership. During the 2025 Hajj operations alone, NAHCON reportedly spent ₦25 billion on Masha’ir tents, disbursed ₦1.6 billion on spouses, and lost ₦8 billion on unused contingency houses in Makkah.
A staff insider revealed that Mr. Sirajo personally approved the controversial 6,500 unused contingency bed spaces in Makkah, which alone cost the commission ₦8 billion.
Mr. Sirajo’s detention follows the August 19 arrest of Aliu Abdulrazak, Commissioner of Policy, Personnel and Finance, and Professor Abubakar A. Yagawal, Commissioner of Planning, Research, Statistics, Information, and Library Services.
Earlier, on August 7, EFCC had also interrogated NAHCON’s Legal Adviser, Barrister Nura Danladi, Deputy Director of Accounts, Abdulmalik Diggi, and Mr. Sirajo himself.
The probe has since widened, with EFCC questioning coordinators in Makkah and Madinah, desk officers for clerics and medical teams, and officials handling contracts for accommodation, aviation, and pilgrim movement.
Multiple NAHCON officials accuse Mr. Sirajo of manipulating his brother’s weakness in handling official correspondence, effectively running the commission behind the scenes.
Sources said: “Mr. Sirajo comments on all memos before the chairman signs. He is at the centre of every decision.”
Stakeholders have now demanded a complete overhaul of NAHCON, insisting that the Federal Government recover misappropriated funds and prosecute those responsible.
The NAHCON Board reportedly accused Professor Usman of breaching procurement laws, retaining pool officers illegally, and running the commission as a sole administrator, despite directives from Vice President Kashim Shettima to the contrary.
Meanwhile, staff unions are threatening a shutdown of NAHCON over alleged favoritism, illegal staffing, and sponsorship of nearly all pool staff to the 2025 Hajj.
