The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has taken into custody five individuals, including Alhaji Mohammed Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, over an alleged multi-billion naira drug supply scam.
Among those apprehended is Garba Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, who is the nephew of NNPP National Leader, Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
His arrest is linked to the same alleged scam, raising questions about the involvement of prominent figures in the case.
The commission also detained Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, Chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and Chairman of Tarauni Local Government Area (LGA).
The suspects are accused of conspiring to award a contract to Novomed for supplying drugs to 38 LGAs across the state, in violation of public procurement laws.
Preliminary findings indicate that each of the 38 LGAs paid N9.150 million to Novomed for the procurement of drugs that were never delivered.
“We have 44 LGAs in the state and they succeeded in collecting N9.150 million from 38 councils for supply of the drugs that were not supplied,” a source familiar with the investigation revealed to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Kabiru Kabiru, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, confirmed the arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing.
He assured that the commission is determined to uncover the full scope of the alleged scam and ensure that those involved face justice.
Kabiru also confirmed that the suspects were being held in the commission’s custody at the time of the report.
(NAN)
