EFCC Arraigns Man Over N56.4m Hajj Fraud in Ibadan

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a man, Lawal Musa, for allegedly defrauding a group of cattle breeders of N56.4 million meant for the 2023 Hajj pilgrimage. The arraignment took place on Thursday, August 13, 2026, before Justice Olusola Adetujoye of the Oyo State High Court in Ibadan.

According to the EFCC, Musa approached Ibrahim Shuaibu under the false pretense that he worked for the Kaduna State Government and could facilitate the pilgrimage. Shuaibu then informed several friends, including Jibril Adamu, Suleiman Aminatu, Musa Haruna, and others, who were involved in cattle breeding in the Oke-Ogun area of Ibadan. The group collectively paid N56,491,000 to Shuaibu, who transferred the funds to Musa for the pilgrimage arrangements. However, none of the victims were able to travel to Saudi Arabia for the 2023 Hajj after Musa allegedly failed to fulfill his promise.

The EFCC filed a 57-count charge against Musa, bordering on forgery, uttering of documents, and stealing. The charges allege that between November 2, 2022, and July 22, 2024, Musa converted the funds to his personal use. Specific counts accuse him of forging and uttering receipts from the...