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.
Also detained is Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, the Chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria and Chairman of Tauroni Local Government Area. Additionally, Garba Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals and nephew of NNPP National Leader Rabiu Kwankwaso, was arrested in the scandal.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests to newsmen on Wednesday.
The anti-graft agency alleges that the suspects colluded to award a contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for supplying 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 were never 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.
Kabiru said the commission was working to unravel the full extent of the alleged scam and bring those responsible to justice.
He also confirmed that the suspects were in the commission’s custody while the investigation was still ongoing.
