Kano anti-graft agency arrests Kwankwaso’s nephew, ALGON chair over alleged fraud

The Kano Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has arrested five persons in connection with an alleged multi-billion naira drug purchase scam.

The anti-graft agency said it has been investigating the alleged fraud involving all 44 LGAs of the state.

On Tuesday, the agency arrested Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew of Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former Kano governor.

Garba is managing director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals.

Other persons arrested are Ibrahim Kabara, permanent secretary of Kano ministry of LG and chieftaincy affairs; and Abdullahi Bashir, interim chair of Tarauni LG and Kano’s Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).

The accused were questioned from dawn till dusk on Tuesday.

They are accused of violating public procurement laws by conspiring to award a contract to Novomed for the supply of drugs to the LGAs.

Muhuyi Rimin-Gado, chair of the commission, had said the contract runs into billions of naira.

Rimin-Gado said everyone found wanting would be arrested and prosecuted.

“We have started a thorough investigation into the allegations surrounding the multi-billion naira drug supply to the 44 local government areas,” he said.

“Regardless of who is involved, we will get to the root of the matter and prosecute those found guilty.”

Abba Yusuf, Kano governor, has since denied knowledge of the contract.