EFCC Recovers N837 Million Looted Katsina Funds, Hands Over Cash to State Government

The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has handed over recovered funds totaling N837,485,389 to the Katsina State Government following investigations into two major financial fraud cases involving diverted public funds.

At an official ceremony held on Monday, May 18, 2026, the EFCC disclosed that the recoveries stemmed from separate investigations into large-scale misappropriation of state funds.

In the first case, the Commission recovered N547,015,389 linked to the diversion of nearly N1.3 billion in statutory tax remittances belonging to Katsina State. Investigations revealed that funds from international organisations, including the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and ALIMA, were allegedly funneled into a private bank account by six officials of the Board of Internal Revenue Service alongside three bank employees.
The EFCC said 12 suspects were arraigned in connection with the fraud. Six have already been convicted after pleading guilty, while the remaining defendants are currently standing trial before the Katsina State High Court.

In the second case, the anti-graft agency recovered N290,470,000 traced to an alleged fraud uncovered through a 2021 intelligence report. The investigation implicated former Sub-Treasurer Sani Lawal BK and former Deputy Sub-Treasurer Saadu Maiwada in the office of the Accountant General of Katsina State.

According to the EFCC, both men allegedly colluded to divert public funds into personal companies through unauthorized cash withdrawals from the Katsina State Sub-Treasury Expenditure Account without any contracts awarded or services rendered.
The suspects were arraigned on July 11, 2023, on charges bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public funds in both federal and state high courts, with trials currently ongoing.

Speaking during the handover ceremony at the EFCC Kano Zonal Directorate, Zonal Director, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Friday S. Ebelo, said the recovery underscored the Commission’s commitment to safeguarding public resources and holding corrupt officials accountable.
“This money belongs to the people of Katsina State, and it should be used for the betterment of the citizens,” Ebelo stated, while urging public office holders to adhere strictly to due process.

Receiving the recovered funds on behalf of the state government, Dr. Kabir Abdullahi Yantumaki, Executive Director of Standard and Compliance at the Katsina State Internal Revenue Service, commended the EFCC for its professionalism and assured that the funds would be paid into the state’s consolidated revenue account for public benefit.