The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has summoned Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew of former governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for questioning in connection with an ongoing investigation into a drug supply scandal that has rocked the state.
According to a source within the Commission, Garba Kwankwaso serves as the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, the company at the center of the controversy.
In addition to Kwankwaso, the Commission has arrested Ibrahim Mohammed Kabara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Abubakar Bashir, Chairman of the Kano State branch of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
“Two or three other individuals have also been arrested, and they are cooperating with us,” the source revealed.
The PCACC has accused the individuals involved of violating the state’s financial management law, public procurement law, and anti-corruption laws. Public officials among those detained are additionally accused of awarding contracts without the consent of Kano State Governor Abba Kabiru Yusuf.
A senior management staff member of the Commission confirmed to Daily Sun that the detained individuals would spend the night at the Commission’s facility. The official emphasized that, despite opposition concerns, the Commission is fully capable of investigating any person or institution that violates public finance laws in the state.
The official recalled that the Commission had previously arrested top state government officials for corruption, some of whom were dismissed by the former administration. He also mentioned that the Commission’s previous attempt to investigate Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his family led to the dismissal of the Commission’s chairman.
The drug supply scandal, which has stirred significant controversy in the state, was brought to light by filmmaker and content creator Galandanchi. He alleged that the 44 interim local government chairmen in the state were instructed to deposit approximately N9 million each into the account of Novomed Pharmaceuticals for the procurement of drugs and medical equipment.
