The Saudi Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) has recently taken action against a number of individuals, both Saudi citizens and expatriates, for their involvement in corruption-related crimes. One of the cases involved a Saudi citizen, Khaled Ibrahim Al-Jariwi, who was arrested for his participation in banking fraud amounting to SR493 million. Al-Jariwi, along with an employee of a local bank, manipulated banking systems to extract financing in an illegal manner. The employee accepted fraudulent documents submitted by Al-Jariwi, leading to the improper issuance of financing. After receiving the funds, Al-Jariwi transferred a portion of the money outside the Kingdom and purchased real estate to conceal his actions. Additionally, several employees from the General Directorate of Passports were arrested for facilitating Al-Jariwi’s illegal entry and exit from the Kingdom in exchange for monetary compensation.
In another case, a Saudi citizen and two Yemeni residents were arrested in Riyadh for attempting to bring in a container from the Jeddah Islamic Port containing tobacco without paying the required customs fees. The individuals were caught in the act of exchanging an amount of SR1,499,000 for facilitating the illegal importation of the goods. The investigation revealed that the container held illegal tobacco products destined for distribution in Riyadh and the Eastern Province. The individuals involved in this case are currently under investigation, and Nazaha is preparing to refer them to the competent court for further legal action.
A Sudanese national, Othman Muhammad Naeem Abdul Rahman, was apprehended while attempting to smuggle approximately four tons of tobacco by falsely declaring the shipment as fodder from Sudan. The customs fees amounting to SR1,075,200 were evaded through this illegal scheme. Nazaha is conducting ongoing investigations into this case to prepare for legal proceedings against the accused. Additionally, Khalaf Saleh Marzouq Al-Khalidi, an employee of the Al-Jouf Region Secretariat, and Muhammad Ali Omar Al-Saqqaf, a Yemeni national, were arrested for their involvement in a scheme related to road maintenance projects. Al-Khalidi received SR8 million from Al-Saqqaf in exchange for disbursing extracts for projects that were never implemented on the ground.
Nazaha is committed to monitoring and holding accountable individuals who engage in corrupt practices that harm public funds or misuse their positions for personal gain. The authority is dedicated to enforcing the law without leniency towards violators. By taking decisive action against those who commit corruption-related offenses, Nazaha aims to promote transparency and accountability within the Kingdom. Those found guilty of corruption will face legal consequences as part of the authority’s efforts to combat unethical behavior and protect public interests.
