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NAHCO denies allegations of fraud in 2024 Hajj operations
The Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) has dismissed allegations of fraudulent activities in the 2024 Hajj operations.
In a notice filed with the Nigeria Exchange Limited on Sunday, NAHCO’s Company Secretary, Bello Abdullahi, described the allegations as “false, erroneous, and misleading.”
The allegations which surfaced on social media claimed that NAHCO’s chairman, Seinde Fadeni, was involved in the misappropriation of funds, including inflated estacodes, consultancy fees, and unaccounted cash withdrawals amounting to millions of naira.
Fadeni was also accused of backdating documents and fraudulently approving payments.
However, NAHCO has refuted these claims, stating that they have no connection to the chairman or the company.
The statement read: “The content of the said social media post relates to alleged fraud in Hajj subsidy operations, pilgrims’ accommodations, and other Hajj-related matters, which have nothing to do with the Chairman of NAHCO PLC.”
READ ALSO:NAHCON chairman, secretary in EFCC custody over alleged N90bn hajj subsidy mismanagement
The company assured stakeholders that the allegations are baseless and has called for discretion in sharing unverified information.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reportedly recovered N137 million in inflated estacodes, but NAHCO has not confirmed this.
The company urged the public, customers, and shareholders to disregard the unfounded allegations and promised to upholdi the trust reposed in the board and management.
“NAHCO is committed to providing the highest standards of service and transparency in all its operations. The baseless claims circulating on social media are part of a smear campaign aimed at distracting us from our core mandate,” it stated.
The allegations have sparked concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of Hajj operations.
However, NAHCO’s denial has raised questions about the validity of the claims.
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