EFCC Charges Lawal Musa with N56m Hajj Fraud

The Ibadan Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Lawal Musa for alleged pilgrimage fraud amounting to N56.4 million. Musa was presented before Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court on Thursday.

He allegedly deceived Ibrahim Shuaibu by claiming to work for the Kaduna State Government and could facilitate the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage. Shuaibu informed several friends, who collectively paid N56,491,000 to Shuaibu, who then transferred the funds to Musa.

However, none of the victims were able to attend the pilgrimage due to Musa's failure to deliver on his promise. Musa faces a total of 57 charges, including stealing by conversion and forgery, with specific counts detailing the fraudulent activities and the amounts involved.

He pleaded "not guilty" to the charges.