The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has handed over N837 million recovered from stolen public funds to the Katsina State Government.
The handover took place on Monday in Kano, with EFCC officials presenting the money to representatives of the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service.
The funds come from two separate cases. In the first, the EFCC recovered N547 million after investigating the diversion of nearly N1.3 billion in tax remittances meant for the state.
The money, originally from international organisations including World Health Organisation, WHO and Médecins Sans Frontières, was moved into private accounts by six staff of the state’s Board of Internal Revenue and three bank employees.
Already 12 people have been charged, with six convicted.
In the second case, N290 million was traced to unauthorised withdrawals from the state’s sub-treasury account by two former officials in the Accountant General’s office.
Prosecutors say no services or contracts justified the withdrawals. Both suspects are on trial for money laundering and misappropriation.
EFCC Kano Zonal Director, Friday Ebelo said the recovery shows the Commission’s commitment to protecting public funds and holding officials accountable.
He urged the state to use the money for the benefit of Katsina State residents.
Receiving the funds, the state’s Executive Director for Standards and Compliance, Kabir Yantumaki, thanked the EFCC and promised the money would be paid into the state’s consolidated revenue account.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
