Drugs Supply Scam: Kano anti-graft agency arrests Kwankwaso, permanent secretary, others

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, has apprehended Alhaji Mohammed Kabawa, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and four others over an alleged multi-billion Naira drug supply fraud.

Among those arrested is Abdullahi Bashir, the Chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON.

The management of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, and Garba Musa Kwankwaso, a nephew of NNPP national leader, Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso, were also taken into custody in connection with the case.

The suspects are accused of colluding to award a contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for supplying drugs to 38 local government areas in the state, in violation of public procurement regulations.

Preliminary investigations indicate that each of the 38 local governments paid N9.1 million to Novomed for the drugs, which were never delivered.

Kabiru I. Kabiru, the Public Relations Officer of the anti-graft commission, confirmed the arrests and stated that “the commission is working to unravel the full extent of the scam and bring those responsible to justice.”

He added that all the suspects are cooperating with the investigation and remain in the commission’s custody.

“The investigation is ongoing,” Kabiru noted, emphasizing that the commission is determined to uncover all aspects of the alleged scam.