To the surprise of many staff of the agency, the expenditure was suddenly reviewed upward to $11,900 after a board meeting.
Fresh facts have emerged on how the account section of the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board inflated the funds meant for members of the agency to embark on pre hajj visit to Saudi Arabia.
SaharaReporters learnt that the Executive Secretary, Imam Abdulhakeem Kosoko was in Saudi Arabia in May 2022 to ensure all logistics were in perfect condition for pilgrims during hajj.
However, after Kosoko had embarked on the trip and expended about $8,900 to purchase tyres, servicing of vehicles, logistic arrangements towards the hajj, he officially communicated his expenditure to the account officers.
To the surprise of many staff of the agency, the expenditure was suddenly reviewed upward to $11,900 after a board meeting.
“This action has again exposed the penchant of the board for contract and the expenditure inflation in the management of the board and state funds. It is the standard practice for executive members of the board, led by the Executive Secretary to embark on Pre hajj visit and ensure all logistics are in perfect condition for pilgrims during hajj proper.
“During the pre hajj 2022 visit, the Executive Secretary, Imam Abdulhakeem Kosoko had embark on the routine trip to Saudi Arabia and expended about $8,900 to purchase tyres, service the vehicles, made logistic arrangements towards the hajj.
“Though, he had officially communicated his expenditure to the account officers, this bill was suddenly reviewed upward after a board meeting. The inflation was as a result of pressure from board members who demanded settlement before approval is given for reimbursement.
“The Executive Secretary, then presented a fresh memo with $11,800 as the bill for the trip in May. Some staff and officials, including the accountant were placated with some fund distributed by the Secretary. The current board members and the chairman have converted the pilgrims board to a source of illicit fund and benefits,” a board member told SaharaReporters.
The source added that millions of Naira meant for an operation vehicle for the board was also misappropriated and shared among board members.
“The Commissioner of Home Affairs, Lagos State, Hanafiu Elegushi, working with the Board Chairman and Special Adviser had proposed the purchase of a new operational vehicle which is not really needed because the board has two functional vehicles, though both are old but are still in good working condition.
“The Commissioner thereafter directing the Board to put up a memo which was approved, the puppet Executive Secretary was directed to forward a memo to the effect and same was approved by the Governor Sanwo-Olu through the Commissioner. The Commissioner, in violation of the procurement law and process, appointed the dealer for the supply of the vehicle and even delivered the vehicle personally.
“Whereas the memo and approval was for a brand new vehicle at the cost of N19m, the Commissioner supplied a second hand vehicle, popularly called Tokunbo, at N17m and directed the dealer to return N2m to board members as settlement. So, those queries wouldn’t be raised as to the status of vehicle purchased.
“Internal crisis however erupted within the Board when the Chairman, Mofeshaye, who was responsible for disbursement of the N2million to other board members, opted to unevenly share the loot amongst equal members. He erroneously posted on the Board members WhatsApp platform the sharing formula, reflecting more money to his two loyal members and even paid half of what was put on the platform to one member who had accused him of not letting other members know how much he got from every service provider.
“This particular member became angry while in Makkah and practically complained to everyone about the leadership style of the Chairman and his greed, at the reception on ground floor in Makkah and later in Lagos when the member confronted Mofesaye to which the Chairman apologized and paid the additional N100,000 to make N200,000 as posted on the platform.”