The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, arraigned five officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue and one bank staff member before Justice Musa Danladi of the Katsina State High Court.

The six defendants were arraigned on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and the diversion of public funds amounting to N1,235,330,000 (One Billion, Two Hundred and Thirty-Five Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Thousand Naira). The funds were allegedly diverted from payments made to the state government by international health organizations, including the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA).

The defendants are:

Nura Lawal

Sanusi Mohammed Yaro

Ibrahim Mamman

Abubakar Saidu

Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi

Adam Alhassan Albashir (a Public Sector Relationship Manager with First Bank)

One of the charges reads:

"That you, Nura Lawal, Sanusi Mohammed Yaro, Ibrahim Mamman, Abubakar Saidu, Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi and Adam Alhassan Albashir, between January 2022 and August 2024 at Katsina, within the jurisdiction of the Katsina State High Court, being staff of the Board of Internal Revenue Services (BOIRS), Katsina, and Public Sector Relationship Manager of First Bank, in such capacities, conspired among yourselves to commit an unlawful act, to wit: unlawfully converted to your personal use tax payments meant for the Katsina State Government, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 58 of the Penal Code Law of Katsina State and punishable under Section 298 of the same law."

All six defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their pleas, the EFCC counsel, Musa Isah, requested a trial date, expressing readiness to prove the allegations. Meanwhile, defence counsels moved for bail applications for their respective clients. The prosecution opposed the applications, arguing against the release of the defendants.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Danladi granted each defendant bail in the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira). Each defendant is required to produce one reliable surety who must reside within the court's jurisdiction and own verifiable landed property. The title documents must be verified by the court registrar.

The court adjourned the matter to October 27, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

Investigative Findings

EFCC investigations revealed that Rabiu Adamu Abdullahi, a former Director of Collections and current Permanent Secretary of the Board, allegedly authorized the opening of a bank account under the name "BOIRS" at Sterling Bank. He reportedly appointed Sanusi Mohammed Yaro (Director of Revenue Account) and Ibrahim Mamman as the sole signatories to the account.

The account, according to findings, served as the main channel for funneling diverted funds to NADIKKO General Suppliers, a company owned by Nura Lawal, Assistant Director of Career Skills/Staff Welfare at the Board.

Further investigations showed that both Lawal and his company were the primary conduits for laundering the diverted funds, which were traced to various personal and corporate bank accounts belonging to the suspects.