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 arrested is Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, the Chairman of the Kano State branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the Chairman of Taurani Local Government Area.
The Commission’s Public Relations Officer, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests to the press on Wednesday.
Additionally, the commission detained the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Garba Kwankwaso, who is the nephew of the National Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, as part of the investigation into the alleged scam.
The suspects are accused of colluding to award a contract to Novomed for the supply of drugs to 38 local government areas in the state, allegedly violating public procurement laws.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that each of the 38 local government areas paid N9.150 million to Novomed for drug procurement, but the drugs were never supplied.
Kabiru noted, “There are 44 local government areas in the state, and they managed to collect N9.150 million from 38 of them for drugs that were not delivered.”
He added that the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team, and the commission is working to uncover the full scope of the alleged scam and hold those responsible accountable.
Kabiru also confirmed that the suspects remain in the commission’s custody as the investigation continues.
