A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Damaturu has ordered the arrest of an Hajj fare collector, Ibrahim Nalado, for alleged diversion of over N50 million belonging to 2017 intending pilgrims of Potiskum local government area of Yobe state.
Thirty three (33) intending pilgrims that paid N1,520,000 million each as fare for 2017 Hajj exercise, alleged in their petition to the court that the fare collector and the local government Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Musa Potiskum collected their money without remittance to the Hajj Commission.
The complainants also alleged that the non-remittance of fare caused them to miss the 2017 Hajj pilgrimage and their monies were not refunded.
The accused persons were charged for criminal conspiracy and criminal misappropriation.
At the resumed hearing presided over by Chief Magistrate, Abubakar Lamba Maluri, on Thursday, one of the accused, Muhammad Musa Potiskum, denied the allegation. The fare collector was also absent at the court.
Having denied the allegation, the court ordered the state’s Police Commissioner to investigate the matter thoroughly.
The magistrate also issued an arrest warrant to the Nalado for not appearing before the court without reason.
The judge also gave the police commissioner 21 days to complete investigation and bring all those involved before the court for proper prosecution.
The case has been adjourned to November 15, 2017 for hearing.
