The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) Sunday denied the alleged raid of its headquarters by the operatives of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) Wednesday over alleged mismanagement of the N90 billion interventions for the 2024 hajj.
A national daily had reported that the anti –graft operatives stormed the hajj house and shut down official activities in some strategic offices, including the office of the chief executive officer, finance, and procurement departments.
But the commission through its assistant director, Public Affairs, Hajia Fatima Sanda Usara, while speaking to newsmen refuted the allegation and advised journalists and media houses to always crosscheck their source and fact before rushing to publish their stories.
Shedding light on the allegation, she told newsmen that the ICPC operatives only came to remind one of their staff in the procurement department and not a director of his invitation to the anti-graft agency to answer some questions.
“So, they came Wednesday to remind him of his appointment. They later went away with him, but did not specify that he was under arrest. He went and answered their questions and came back to the office and has since resumed his duty with the commission.
“It is surprising and misleading on the trending false news that the ICPC operatives raided NAHCON headquarters and sealed up some offices. This is quite misleading, the agency just like other anti-graft agencies has its professional ways of carrying out its duty, not the false allegation and fake news circulating on the purported raiding of NAHCON and arrest of some of its directors. This is not a war, the invited individual did not argue with them when they came and he followed them willingly without any incidence,’’ she said.
She added that some journalists on reading the story had the professional instincts of coming over to NAHCON headquarters to verify and clarify the issue. They met her and other staff on duty carrying out their jobs seamlessly.
“These journalists came, met me and other staff on duty and asked their questions and we gave them their answers. I believe that is how professional journalism should be, not sitting inside your bedroom reading false news and then go ahead to circulate it without cross checking the fact.’’
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