Dr. Kumo Urges Fair Hearing for Arabi in N90B Hajj Fund Scandal, Appeals to President Tinubu

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• Dr. Mohammed Aliyu Kumo criticized the removal of NAHCON Chairman, Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, as unconstitutional and urged President Tinubu to ensure due process and a fair hearing.
• Kumo highlighted Arabi’s successful management of the 2024 Hajj operations and questioned the justification for his dismissal, advocating for an independent investigation.
• He expressed concerns about potential hidden influences behind Arabi’s removal and called on the President to act fairly, respecting the constitution.

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Dr. Kumo Demands Fair Hearing in Controversial N90B Hajj Fund Scandal

Dr. Mohammed Aliyu Kumo has criticized the removal of Mallam Jalal Ahmad Arabi, the chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), calling it a violation of the Nigerian Constitution. He believes President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration mishandled the situation.

Arabi, who was in charge of the N90 billion allocated for the 2024 Hajj operations, was ousted without what Dr. Kumo deems necessary due process. He insists that Arabi’s appointment, which came with a five-year tenure, required a formal committee review before any dismissal.

“The 2024 Hajj was one of the best. The operations went smoothly, and Nigeria’s image was uplifted,” Dr. Kumo stated. He feels the government should have praised Arabi instead of removing him.

He urged President Tinubu to ensure Arabi receives a fair hearing. “Follow due process and be fair to Jalal. This is a man with an impeccable record, having served four former presidents as a permanent secretary. I believe he wouldn’t do anything to tarnish his hard-earned reputation,” Dr. Kumo said.

Dr. Kumo also questioned whether the government had received any report from Arabi to justify his removal. He called for an independent investigation to clarify the situation.

Suspecting foul play, Dr. Kumo pointed to rumors of hidden influences within the presidency. He emphasized his belief that President Tinubu would want to act within the bounds of the constitution, ensuring fairness for all Nigerians, regardless of background.

In his final plea, Dr. Kumo asked President Tinubu to ensure that Arabi is treated fairly, especially during a time when he is facing severe accusations driven by political agendas.