The Zamfara State Hajj Commission on Monday disclosed that it discovered N775 million as an outstanding balance not refunded to 504 prospective pilgrims in the state from 2019 to date.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Chairman of the commission, Alhaji Musa Mallaha, made this known in Gusau at the commission’s inaugural meeting.
During the meeting, Mallaha presented letters to the recently appointed five permanent commissioners and 18 part-time members of the commission on behalf of Governor Dauda Lawal.
Mallaha said from 2019 to date, the immediate past administration had not refunded N775 million to the 504 prospective pilgrims who deposited their money with the commission.
“This commission has been owing N775 million for 504 intended pilgrims from across the 14 local government areas who were not able to complete payment for hajj seats from 2019 to date.
“You know, I was appointed by Gov Dauda Lawal as Amirul Hajj for this state in the 2022 hajj.
“Many people in this state have complained to me that they have deposited their money in the commission for pilgrimage over the years but not refunded.
“I complained to the governor, after my appointment as Chairman to this commission, the governor directed me to investigate the matter and ensure justice for everyone involved.
“We further discovered that the commission had 16 finance accounts in different banks, I requested the office of the State Accountant-General to verify all the accounts after which we recovered N254 million.
“We further discovered that parts of the money deposited previously by the intending pilgrims had been used for free hajj tickets and renovation of the state’s Hajj Camp by the immediate past administration.”
He said currently, the commission had a total balance of N92 million out of the outstanding N775 million to be paid.
He noted that the state government would continue with the investigation and make sure that justice was done to the matter.
“You know, government is a continuous process; I am therefore appealing to Gov. Dauda Lawal to pay all the intended pilgrims their rights,” Mallaha added.
