The immediate past Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, Alhaji Zikrullah Kunle Hassan, has vehemently denied recent allegations of corruption and being grilled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
In a press release, Hassan called the online publication accusing him of gross abuse of office “a tissue of lies.”
In the statement signed by his media aide, Shakirudeen Bankole, Hassan clarified that he was neither invited nor questioned by the EFCC on Monday, February 26, as alleged by the online medium.
He asserted his innocence, stating that during his tenure, officials of the anti-graft agency scrutinized NAHCON’s books, and all queries were adequately addressed by relevant officials.
“As a responsible professional myself, I did not meddle with the specialized responsibilities of relevant officials of the Hajj commission,” Hassan declared, denying any direct involvement with contractors or financial transactions during his tenure.
“On my honour as a Muslim and a decent family man, I make bold to say that not for once did the EFCC operatives on investigation mission at NAHCON consider it necessary to query me,” he emphasized.
Hassan expressed confidence that his untainted record would prevail, and he vowed to seek legal redress against the online portal for spreading “reckless falsehood bereft of any iota of truth.”
Responding to a recent reception held in his honor by The Companion, a Muslim group, Hassan criticized the online portal for mischievously celebrating the absence of certain individuals and officials at the event. He clarified that he, too, was invited to the reception as a member of The Companion, and the event was dedicated to honoring him as their ambassador.
“It may well interest those insinuating their biases in the guest selection that The Companion ranks beyond their pettiness,” Hassan stated. “We’re talking about a reputable association of high-profile professionals and decent businessmen of the best rating around the world. They know what is best for whatever design they have. It is not for some idlers to volunteer unsolicited trifles.”
