The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has detained five individuals, including Mohammed Kabawa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in connection with an alleged multi-billion naira drug supply scam.
Also arrested was Abdullahi Bashir, the chairman of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in the state and chairman of Tarauni Local Government Area.
Additionally, Musa Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals and nephew of NNPP national leader Rabi’u Kwankwaso, was taken into custody.
The suspects are accused of colluding to award a contract to Novomed for the supply of drugs to 38 local government areas (LGAs) in the state, breaching public procurement laws. Preliminary investigations indicate that each of the 38 LGAs paid N9.150 million to Novomed for drug procurement, but the drugs have not yet been delivered.
“We have 44 LGAs in the state and they succeeded in collecting N9.150 from 38 councils for supply of the drugs that were not supplied
“The findings also revealed that all the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team”, a source close to the case told the News Agency of Nigeria.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
Mr. Kabiru indicated that the commission is working to uncover the full scope of the alleged scam and hold those responsible accountable.
He also confirmed that the suspects are currently in the commission’s custody
Credit: Beli Media