The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five individuals, including Alhaji Mohammed Kabara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in connection with an alleged multi-billion naira drug supply scam.
Among those detained is Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, the Chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the Chairman of Tauroni Local Government Area. The Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests on Wednesday.
In addition, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Garba Kwankwaso, who is also the nephew of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), was apprehended in relation to the scandal.
The suspects are accused of conspiring to award a contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for the supply of drugs to 38 local government areas in the state, in violation of public procurement laws.
Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the 38 local government councils paid ₦9.15 million to Novomed for the procurement of drugs that were never delivered.
“We have 44 LGAs in the state, and they managed to collect ₦9.15 million from 38 councils for drugs that were not supplied,” Kabiru stated. He added that all the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team.
The commission is currently working to uncover the full extent of the alleged scam and to hold those responsible accountable. The suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.
