SaharaReporters learnt that one of such was the reinstatement of Usman Ardo Kumo, a retired civil servant turned politician who had also contested the 2019 elections.
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) is currently embroiled in staff corruption allegations as the management allowed some retired civil servants to return to office and hold key positions.
SaharaReporters learnt that one of such was the reinstatement of Usman Ardo Kumo, a retired civil servant turned politician who had also contested the 2019 elections.
He had resigned from the North-West Development Commission and his resignation was duly accepted.
Kumo was allegedly reinstated by Bukar Babagana, NAHCON’s Director of Administration and Human Resources. Bukar, who was transferred from the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP).
The director was alleged to have built a network of loyalists around himself to consolidate power.
"Bukar Babagana, NAHCON’s Director of Administration and Human Resources. Bukar, came from the BPP. And among his questionable moves was the reinstatement of Usman Ardo Kumo, a retired civil servant turned politician who had no business returning to federal service after contesting in the 2019 elections," a source in NAHCON explained.
"Surprisingly Ardo resurfaced in the civil service pool by way of posting from NWDC to Nigerian Council of Food Science and Technology on the 3rd August 2022 via circular BP/DG/576/48.
"Then on 22nd November 23 via another circular BP/DG/571/II same Ardo was transferred to NAHCON to fill a vacancy engineered by Bukar.
"It was more than a procedural anomaly; it was a deliberate ploy to place him in the lucrative procurement office," another source corroborated.
SaharaReporters learnt that when some whistleblowers exposed the scheme, it forced Ardo to abandon the position.
Further investigations revealed that Bukar is the brain behind Ardo's coming, who also nfluenced his posting from same BPP.
Bukar in his bidding also foresaw the contract extension of one Dr. Aliyu Tanko.
Dr. Aliyu Tanko had retired from the civil service in 2020.
"Under the Zikrullah Kunle Hassan administration, he was contracted for two years. Then in 2022, he received another two-year renewal, set to end in 2024," SaharaReporters was told by another source.
Civil service rules are explicit on this matter. Section 020405 (VII) of the Public Service Rules states: “Duration of contract appointment should be one (1) or two (2) years and renewable, but not more than four (4) years in all.”
By 2024, Tanko’s maximum 4 years extension was exhausted.
Yet Bukar Babagana’s ensured that Tanko fraudulently secured yet another two-year extension, pushing him into a sixth year contract.
"Such a flagrant disregard for codified regulations speaks volumes about NAHCON’s institutional rot and a Director of Admin and HR for that matter," the source noted.
The sources also called for the probe of some Assistant Directors like Wafiyyah Saleh, Fatima Usara and Mustapha Abba over their roles in the commission.
"The 2021 “PROPER PLACEMENT” report, supervised by former DFA Kaigama, aimed to enforce civil service rules that would demote more than a dozen overpromoted staff to their rightful levels. That report was buried. Why? Because key beneficiaries are enjoying statuses above their legitimate grades and had bribed people from the office of the head of service. As a result, unqualified staff continue to occupy positions far above their rightful civil service grade levels," another staff revealed.
NAHCON has recently come under the radar over poor services and handling of muslims seeking pilgrimage in the country.
The NAHCON recently announced it had begun the disbursement of refunds totalling N5.3 billion to states, tour operators, and other stakeholders involved in the 2023 Hajj.
The refund followed claims of substandard electricity services during the core Hajj period (Masha’ir) by the Saudi Arabian authorities.
In a statement issued, the Head of Public Affairs at NAHCON, Malam Muhammad Musa, had disclosed that N4.4billion was refunded to the Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards of Nigeria’s 36 states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and the Armed Forces.
He said the amount covers compensation for the lapses in electricity services during the pilgrimage.
Meanwhile, N917,148,479.99 was refunded to 192 accredited tour companies that facilitated the Hajj operations.
Musa explained that the funds are meant to be distributed to pilgrims who participated through these companies.
He added that other participating tour companies would receive their refunds once reconciliation processes are completed.
“This refund underscores NAHCON’s commitment, under the leadership of its Chairman, Prof. Abdullahi Usman, to uphold transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations,” Musa had stated.
Musa stated that all pilgrims who participated in the 2023 Hajj are advised to contact their respective State Pilgrims’ Welfare Agencies, Boards, Commissions, or tour operators to claim their refunds.
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