The Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission on Thursday interrogated three interim local government chairmen concerning their alleged involvement in a multi-billion naira drug contract scam.
The investigation is linked to the misappropriation of funds earmarked for addressing water and medical supply challenges in the state’s local government areas.
The investigation revealed that a portion of the N660 million, part of the N1.1 billion approved by Governor Abba Yusuf for the 44 local government areas, was allegedly funneled into private accounts. The funds were originally intended to support projects scheduled for August, September, and October 2024, with each local government area allocated N25 million monthly.
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It was discovered that the caretaker chairmen of the local government areas were directed to remit N10 million from the August allocation to Novomed Pharmaceuticals, a company reportedly owned by Musa Garba, a nephew of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Garba, who had been detained by the commission for over 10 hours, was released on bail around 9:30 PM on Thursday and instructed to report back to the anti-graft agency on Monday.
Sources within the commission disclosed that the interim chairmen, identified as Abdulaziz Sulaiman of Kiru Local Government, Gambo Isa of Garko Local Government, and Basiru Abubakar of Bebeji Local Government, confessed to their roles in the fund misappropriation during their questioning. Additionally, 19 other individuals, including treasurers, heads of departments, and other senior officials from various local government areas, are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation.
Prominent among those under investigation are Nura Sani, Muhammad Sani, Ibrahim Sani, Usman Yusha’u, Muhammad Shehu, Ismail Yusuf, and Muhammad Jamilu Sani. They are accused of illegally transferring money to personal accounts and withdrawing cash in violation of due process and procurement laws.
An anonymous source at the commission revealed that some of the funds have been traced to the accounts of local government chairmen, with some officials voluntarily returning the money during the ongoing investigation. The three interim chairmen have been granted administrative bail and are required to continue reporting to the commission as the investigation progresses.
