*The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Mohammed Kabawa, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Garba Musa Kwankwaso, Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, and other suspects for connivance on a contract for supply of drugs to 38 Local Government Areas in the state in violation of the public procurement laws

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

For alleged violation of the state鈥檚 public procurement laws through contract rip-off, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested Alhaji Mohammed Kabawa, Permanent Secretary, State Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and other officials over multi-billion Naira drugs supply scam.

It was learnt the state鈥檚 anti-graft Commission also arrested Abdullahi Bashir, Chairman of the Kano State Branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission as well apprehended Garba Musa Kwankwaso, Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, a nephew of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, former governor of the state and NNPP National Leader, in connection with the scam.

The suspects are being accused of conniving to award a contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals, located at Gyadi Gyadi, in Kano, for the supply of drugs to 38 Local Government Areas in the state, thus violating the state鈥檚 public procurement laws.

Report indicates the preliminary investigations revealed that each of the 38 Local Governments paid N9.1 million to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for the procurement of drugs, but the drugs were not supplied.

Findings also revealed that all the suspects are cooperating with the Commission鈥檚 investigation team.

Commenting on the development, Kabiru I. Kabiru, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Commission, reportedly confirmed the arrests, noting that investigation is still ongoing.

Kabiru also said that the anti-corruption Commission is working to unravel the full extent of the purported drugs supply scam with a view to bringing those responsible to justice.

The suspects are in the Commission鈥檚 custody, in Kano, noted the anti-corruption body鈥檚 image maker.