Top Kano Officials Arrested in Multi-Billion Naira Drug Supply Scam

Alhaji Mohammed Kabawa, the Permanent Secretary of Kano’s Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Garba Kwankwaso, nephew of NNPP National Leader Sen. Rabi’u Kwankwaso, have been arrested alongside three others for their alleged involvement in a multi-billion naira drug supply scam. The arrests were carried out by the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, which announced the news on Tuesday.

Among those detained is Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, Chairman of the state’s Association for Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and head of Tauroni Local Government Area (LGA). Garba Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, is accused of collaborating with the others to illegally secure a contract for supplying drugs to 38 LGAs in Kano, violating public procurement laws. Investigations revealed that each of the 38 LGAs paid N9.150 million to Novomed for drugs that were never delivered.

The suspects allegedly collected a total of N9.150 billion from the 38 councils under false pretenses. Sources close to the investigation confirm that all the accused are cooperating with the commission’s inquiry. Kabiru Kabiru, the commission’s Public Relations Officer, verified the arrests and stated that the investigation is ongoing to uncover the full scope of the scam. The suspects remain in custody as the investigation continues.