crime

EFCC Arraigns 6 over Shocking Katsina N1.2bn Tax Fraud

Published

2 months ago

August 6, 2025

EFCC arraigns six, including Katsina revenue officials and a bank staff, over shocking N1.2bn tax fraud involving WHO, MSF, and other health agencies

Katsina N1.2bn tax fraud has rocked Nigeria’s anti-graft landscape as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned six individuals for allegedly diverting public funds meant for the state government.

Also read: EFCC Arrests Internet Fraud Suspects in Major Bauchi Raid

On Tuesday, the EFCC’s Kano Zonal Directorate brought five Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue officials and a First Bank staff member before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court on a seven-count charge of conspiracy and criminal diversion of tax revenues.

The total sum allegedly diverted stands at ₦1,235,330,000, comprising tax remittances from reputable health organizations including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

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) all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

One of the counts alleges that between January 2022 and August 2024, the group conspired to convert tax payments meant for the Katsina State Government to personal use a violation of Section 58 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State.

According to EFCC investigations, a Sterling Bank account named “BOIRS” was opened under the directive of Rabiu Abdullahi (now a Permanent Secretary), with Yaro and Mamman as sole signatories.

This account allegedly became the main conduit for siphoning funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company linked to Nura Lawal.

Further tracing by the commission revealed that NADIKKO and Lawal funneled the laundered money through multiple bank accounts, raising red flags across Nigeria’s financial monitoring systems.

Prosecution counsel Musa Isah urged the court to set a trial date, while defense teams submitted bail applications.

Justice Danladi granted bail to all six defendants at ₦5 million each, requiring a surety with verifiable landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.