Kano anti-corruption commission arrests Kwankwaso, Perm Sec, ALGON chairman, others over involvement in drug supply scam

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has apprehended Garba Musa Kwankwaso, a nephew of Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) presidential candidate.

Alongside him, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, and the Chairman of the Kano State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) have also been arrested for their alleged roles in a drug supply fraud affecting the 44 local government areas.

The agency had earlier detained Alhaji Mohammed Kabawa, the Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, in connection with the multi-billion Naira drug supply scam.

The crackdown continued with the arrest of Abdullahi Bashir, Chairman of the state ALGON and chairman of Tauroni LGA, as investigations into the alleged deal deepen.

The suspects were accused of connivance to award the Contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for the supply of drugs to 38 local government areas in the state, violating public procurement laws.

Preliminary investigations, according to the Commission, 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.

News360 Nigeria findings also revealed that Musa Garba Kwankwaso, Managing Director of Novomed, who is also nephew to Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso was also arrested

All the suspects are said to be cooperating with the commission’s investigation team.

The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru I. Kabiru, confirmed the arrests, adding investigation was ongoing.

Kabiru said that the commission was working to unravel the full extent of the scam and bring those responsible to justice.

He also confirmed that the suspects were in the commission’s custody as of the time of filing this report.