Contract Fraud: Kano LG Boss, Perm Sec, Others Arrested

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew to the leaders of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Muhammad Kabawa, the Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Kano state chapter, Abdullahi Bashir, over their alleged involvement in a drug supply fraud to the 44 local government areas.

The suspects were accused of connivance to award the contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Company for the supply of drugs to 44 local government areas in the state, thereby violating the public procurement rules.

The anti-graft agency’s Public Relations Officer, Kabiru Kabiru, revealed this to newsmen on Wednesday in Kano following the arrest of suspects.

He further confirmed that the commission has since commenced investigations into the matter.
Kabiru also said that the commission was working to unravel the full extent of the scam and bring those responsible to book.

Meanwhile, preliminary investigations, according to the Commission, revealed that so far, each of the 38 local government councils has paid N9.1 million to Novomed for the procurement of drugs. Still, the drugs are yet to be supplied.

Reports also revealed that Garba Kwankwaso, Managing Director of Novomed, is among the arrested suspects being investigated and is currently in the commission’s custody.

The spokesman added that the suspects cooperate with the commission’s investigation team.

It would be recalled that the Kano state government instructed the anti-graft agency to investigate the allegation of supplying medical items to the state’s 44 local government councils.

The Kano state Governor Abba Yusuf stated his media aide, Sunusi Bature, saying he does not know the alleged contract.

The incident came to limelight when a social media activist, Bello Galadanci, who resides in China, made the revelation on his page.

The governor called on the state’s people to remain calm over the viral issue, ensuring no stone would be left unturned.