Kwakwanso’s Nephew, Top Officials Arrested Over Alleged Multi-Billion Naira Drug Procurement Fraud

Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) on Tuesday arrested Ibrahim Kabara, the Permanent Secretary of the Kano Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, along with Abdullahi Bashir, the State ALGON Chairman and interim Council Chairman of Tarauni Local Government, in connection with a ₦402.6 million corruption scandal involving the procurement of drugs and medical equipment for the state’s 44 local governments.

Among those detained is Musa Garba, Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, and a nephew of former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, who has been invited for questioning by the commission as part of its ongoing investigation.

The officials are accused of violating the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law, the Public Procurement Law, and the Financial Management Law.

The alleged offences stem from the awarding of a contract for the supply of drugs and medical equipment, reportedly done without the requisite approval from Kano State Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

According to a source close to the investigation, Bashir, the ALGON Chairman, has confessed to authorising the illegal payment of ₦402.6 million for the procurement.

Out of this amount, ₦347.7 million was allegedly paid by 38 of the state’s local governments before the PCACC intervened.

“The actions taken by these officials were in clear contravention of the law; they bypassed necessary protocols and proceeded with the contract without proper,” the source stated.

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Oluwasegun Sanusi

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