Presidency Bars Top FG Official From Entering Aso Villa
The Presidency has reportedly barred Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman from accessing the Presidential Villa.
This follows ongoing investigations into an alleged ₦50 billion fraud connected to the 2025 Hajj operations.
According to Guardian, Usman’s Villa security clearance was revoked after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) opened a probe into alleged financial mismanagement within the commission.
He had earlier visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja in response to an official invitation and was later released on administrative bail, with instructions to report daily as inquiries continue.
The ongoing investigation involves the alleged diversion of billions of naira meant for Hajj services, including ₦25 billion reportedly spent on Masha’ir tents, ₦7.9 billion on contingency housing, and ₦1.6 billion on travel expenses for officials’ spouses.
Two senior NAHCON officials, Commissioner for Policy, Personnel and Finance, Aliu Abdulrazak, and Director of Finance and Accounts, Aminu Y. Muhammed, were earlier detained by the EFCC but are said to be cooperating with investigators.
Although Professor Usman has not yet been charged, the decision to bar him from the Villa shows that the government is treating the case with utmost seriousness.
NAHCON has since stated that it will not shield any official found guilty of wrongdoing and pledged full cooperation with the authorities as the investigation continues.
