JUST IN; NAHCON hints of possible reduction in 2025 Hajj fare

Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman, the Chairman/CEO of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), has suggested that the cost for Nigerians intending to undertake this year’s Hajj pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia could be reduced, pending the approval of certain waivers by the Federal Government.

On Monday, NAHCON announced the Hajj fares, with the Adamawa/Borno zone set at N8,327,125.59, the Northern zone at N8,457,685.59, and the Southern zone at N8,784,085.59.

The Commission described these fare structures as the result of extensive collaboration.

The Hajj Commission stated that the fare was approved by the Office of the Vice President, with input from the commission, the Presidency, and state pilgrims’ welfare boards “did their best to maintain the Hajj fare within the same range as previously charged”.

In an interview with journalists in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, a transcript provided by the Commission’s media team to reporters in Abuja, Prof. Usman revealed that NAHCON is anticipating waivers on certain charges.

If approved, these waivers could potentially reduce the fare for Nigerians this year.

Although Usman clarified that the commission did not receive direct financial support from the Federal Government, he acknowledged the government’s crucial role in facilitating engagements and discussions with various institutions.

“Actually, we have not received any financial support from the Federal Government. However, the Federal Government has played significant role in facilitating all the engagements, discussions with some institutions.

“We are also expecting waivers on some charges which if approved may likely being down the fare,” the NAHCON CEO said.

He stated that as a result of the commission’s consultations with Saudi-based service providers, it had successfully secured a reduction in the charges for services at the Masha’ir (the holy sites of Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah), bringing the cost down to SR4,050 from last year’s SR4,770.

“Our consultation, our contacting with service providers result to huge get huge discount from service providers. For example, the service provider who used to give us service at Masha’if, that is Arafat, Mina, and Muzdalifah, last year charged us SR4,770.

“With this discussion, this year they bring it down to SR4,050. This is the way we got it, ” the chairman informed.

Usman also announced that the deadline for payment of this year’s Hajj fare is January 31, emphasizing that any intending pilgrims who do not make their payment by this date will not be able to participate in the pilgrimage.

“The deadline for payment of Hajj fare this year, 2025 is by 31at January 2025. Anyone who could not pay before this date, it means he cannot participate in this year’s Hajj.

“This is not our decision, I mean it is not a decision of the commission. Even it is not a decision if the Federal Government; it is a decision if the Saudi Arabia government. So we cannot do any otherwise,” he said.

Usman explained that the variation in this year’s Hajj fare was due to the distance to Saudi Arabia, noting that the Adamawa/Borno zone is closer to the Kingdom than other parts of Nigeria.

He further clarified that airlines set their prices based on the distance to Saudi Arabia.

Ex–Convict arrested by Police, sent back to Prison custody eight days after Governor’s pardon

Former prisoner Sunday Omisakin has been detained at the Ilesa Correctional Facility just eight days after being pardoned by Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for allegedly breaking into a house and taking a television.

Omisakin was pardoned for what was seen to be a minor infraction and was ranked number eight on the governor’s prerogative of compassion list, which was signed on December 26, 2024.

However, on January 3, 2025, he was arrested for allegedly burglarizing a residence in Osogbo and stealing a plasma television worth N600,000.

The suspect was brought before the Osun State Magistrate Court in Osogbo, where Magistrate Adekanmi Adeyeba presided, facing two charges of burglary and theft.

According to police prosecutor Inspector Kayode Adeoye, “On January 3, 2025, at about 12:00 p.m. at Al-Medinat Area, Iludun, Osogbo, Omisakin broke into the house of one Shittu Damilare and stole a plasma TV worth N600,000.”

Omisakin has been remanded in custody pending further court proceedings.

“The offence committed is contrary to and punishable under section 411 (1) (2) 363, 390(9) of criminal code cap 34 vol.II laws of Osun State of Nigeria 2002.”

Meanwhile, Omisakin pleaded not guilty to the charges, while his counsel, Najite Okobe, requested the court to grant him bail on the most lenient terms.

The prosecutor opposed to the bail stating that “Governor just pardoned him few days ago. He was sentenced to prison by Magistrate Olusegun Ayilara and he was not done serving his jail term.”

Magistrate Adeyeba ordered that Omisakin be remanded in the Ilesa Correctional Facility and adjourned the case to January 10, 2025, when his bail request was denied. The case was then further adjourned to February 2025 for hearing.

President Tinubu reveals number of Terrorists Financiers prosecuted, convicted in two years

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday revealed that over 100 terrorist financiers have been prosecuted and convicted in the past two years as part of efforts to build a globally competitive economy and enhance citizens’ livelihoods.

Tinubu made this revelation at the opening of the 2025 National Anti-Money Laundering, Counter Financing of Terrorism and Proliferation, AML/CFT/CPF, Summit in Abuja.

The President, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, noted that the administration has made progress in addressing the threats of terrorism and other violent crimes through the gallant actions of the country’s frontline troops and security agencies.

“However, in line with the National Counter-Terrorist Financing Strategy, we have also enhanced our abilities to identify and pursue those individuals financing violent acts. Through the efforts of the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, we have prosecuted and convicted over 100 terrorist financiers in the past two years.

“By taking away the funds, resources, and material support behind Boko Haram and ISWAP, we are denying them the ability to inflict terror on our communities and citizens. We are creating an environment where our rural areas will thrive once again,” he said.

He stated that this approach of targeting finances and “following the money” is recognised as a global best practice in combatting serious crime.

According to him, through the National Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing, AML/CFT, Strategy, the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, and the National Drug Control Master Plan, law enforcement and prosecutorial authorities are focused on disrupting criminal financial networks.

He recalled that following Nigeria’s listing on the Financial Action Task Force, FATF, grey list in February 2023, the country made a high-level political commitment to implement an Action Plan addressing deficiencies in its AML/CFT/CPF framework.

While claiming significant progress in implementing this action plan, Tinubu assured the Inter-Governmental Action Group Against Money Laundering in West Africa, GIABA, and FATF that “this administration remains committed to completing all items on the Action Plan by the deadline of May 2025 and exiting the grey list.”

He added that the country’s strategic objective goes beyond completing the Action Plan to ensure the National AML/CFT/CPF regime—across both public and private sectors—achieves the highest levels of effectiveness, efficiency, and compliance.

“This goal encompasses the current efforts to exit the grey list, effective preparation for the on-site assessment once the Action Plan is completed, and in the medium term, early preparation for the next mutual evaluation due in 2027,” he said.

Meanwhile, Tinubu commended the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, for its foresight in organising the summit and its efforts in implementing the FATF Action Plan to exit the grey list, as well as strengthening Nigeria’s AML/CFT framework.

“The NFIU, as the National AML/CFT coordinating agency, the secretariat of the Inter-Ministerial Committee, and the National Sanctions Committee, plays a pivotal role in preventing and detecting serious crimes in our dear country.

“Indeed, the NFIU has continued to make valuable contributions to the economic development agenda of this administration by supporting federal and state revenue-generating agencies with data to improve domestic revenue mobilisation.

“The intelligence provided by the NFIU supports investigations and prosecutions of particularly complex money laundering and terrorist financing cases. Its leadership role in the regional and global AML/CFT arena demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to international standards,” he said.