The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five individuals, including Garba Kwankwaso, the nephew of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, over an alleged multi-billion naira drug supply scam.
This development was revealed to reporters in Kano on Wednesday by the Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru Kabiru. He stated that the other individuals arrested include the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Kabara, and the Chairman of Tauroni Local Government Area, Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir.
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According to Kabiru, the anti-graft agency has accused Kwankwaso’s nephew, who serves as the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, of conspiring with the other suspects to unlawfully award a contract to Novomed for the supply of drugs to 38 local government areas (LGAs) in Kano State. The contract allegedly violated public procurement laws.
Kabiru disclosed that initial investigations by the commission revealed that each of the 38 LGAs paid ₦9.1 million to Novomed for the drugs, but the drugs were never supplied. “We have 44 LGAs in the state, and they succeeded in collecting ₦9.150 million from 38 councils for the supply of drugs that were not delivered,” he said.
He added that all the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team.
“The commission is diligently working to uncover the full scope of the alleged scam and to ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” Kabiru said.
He also confirmed that the suspects are currently in the custody of the commission as the investigation continues.
