August 20, (THEWILL) – The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested some officials including Alhaji Mohammed Kabawa, the Permanent Secretary of the state Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,
over an alleged multi-billion Naira drugs supply scam.
Also arrested by the commission is the Chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Abdullahi Bashir.
Similarly, the anti-graft agency has arrested the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals alongside, one Garba Musa Kwankwaso, the nephew of the NNPP National Leader, Sen.Rabi’u Kwankwaso, in connection with the scam.
The suspects are accused of conniving to award a contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for the supply of drugs to 38 local government areas in the state, thus violating public procurement laws.
Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the 38 local governments paid N9.1 million to Novomed for the procurement of drugs, but the drugs were not supplied.
The findings also revealed that all the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team.
The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru I. Kabiru, confirmed the arrests, adding that investigation is ongoing.
Kabiru said that the commission is working to unravel the full extent of the scam and bring those responsible to justice.
He also confirmed that the suspects are in the commission’s custody.
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
