NAHCON refutes raids at agency

By Bashir Bello

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has denied the alleged raid of its headquarters by the operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday over alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion intervention for the 2024 Hajj.

A national daily had reported that: ‘’ the anti –graft operatives stormed the Hajj house and shut down official activities in some strategic offices, including the office of the chief executive officer, finance,and procurement departments.’’

But the commission through its Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara while speaking to newsmen refuted the allegation and advised journalists and media houses to always crosscheck their source and fact before rushing to publish their stories.

Shedding light on the allegation she told newsmen that the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) operatives only came to remind one of their staff in the procurement department not a director of his invitation to the anti-graft agency to answer some questions. So they came on Wednesday to remind him of his appointment. They later went away with him but did not specify that  he was under arrest. He went and answered their questions and came back to the office and has since resumed his duty with the commission.

‘’ It is surprising and misleading on the trending false news that the ICPC operatives raided NAHCON headquarters and sealed up some offices. This quite misleading, the agency just like other anti-graft agencies has its professional ways of carrying out its duty not the false allegation and fake news circulating on the purported raiding of NAHCON and some of its directors arrested. This is not a war, the invited individual did not argue with them when they came , he followed tem willingly without any incidence.’’ She said,

She revealed that some jurnalsist on reading the story had the professional instincts of coming over to NAHCON headquarters to verify and clarify the issue. They met her and other staff on duty carrying out their jobs seemingly.

‘’  These journalists came, met me and other staff on duty and asked their questions and we gave them their answers. I believe that is how professional journalism should be, not sitting inside your bedroom  reading false news and then go ahead to circulate it without cross checking the fact.’’

She advised journalists and publishers to always dedicate time to cross check the source and fact of their stories before publishing them.