The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kano Zonal Directorate, has handed over recovered monetary exhibits totaling ₦837,485,389.00 to the Katsina State Government.
The anti-graft agency disclosed this on Monday, May 18, 2026, through its official X handle, noting that the recovery followed investigations into two separate cases involving the diversion of public funds belonging to the state.
In the first case, the EFCC recovered ₦547,015,389.00 following a petition by the Katsina State Government over the alleged diversion of nearly ₦1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances.
Investigations revealed that the funds, sourced from international organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and ALIMA, were diverted into a private bank account by six officials of the Katsina State Board of Internal Revenue Service (BOIRS) in collaboration with three bank employees.
The Commission stated that 12 suspects were charged to court in connection with the case.
Six of the defendants have been convicted after pleading guilty, while the remaining suspects are currently standing trial before the Katsina State High Court.
In the second case, the EFCC recovered ₦290,470,000.00 linked to an alleged fraud uncovered through a 2021 intelligence report.
According to the Commission, investigations showed that former Sub-Treasurer, Sani Lawal BK, and former Deputy Sub-Treasurer, Saadu Maiwada, in the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State allegedly diverted the funds into personal companies through unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Katsina State Sub-Treasury Expenditure Account.
The EFCC further disclosed that no contracts were awarded and no services rendered to justify the withdrawals.
The suspects were arraigned on July 11, 2023, on charges bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of funds at both Federal and State High Courts, with trial already ongoing.
The handover ceremony took place at the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate, where the Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE I Friday S. Ebelo, presented the recovered funds to Dr. Kabir Abdullahi Yantumaki, Executive Director of Standard and Compliance, Katsina State Internal Revenue Service.
Speaking during the event, Ebelo reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to protecting public funds and ensuring accountability among public officials.
“This money belongs to the people of Katsina State, and I urge that it be used for the betterment of the people of the state,” he said.
He also warned public officials against financial misconduct, stressing that the EFCC would continue to track and prosecute all forms of corruption and financial crimes.
In his response, Yantumaki commended the EFCC for its diligence and professionalism, assuring that the recovered funds would be paid into the state’s consolidated revenue account for the benefit of the people of Katsina State.
