The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has placed a post-no-debit order on an account linked to a suspected local government contract scam, freezing N160 million while seeking to recover an additional N440 million.
Investigators are set to continue questioning key individuals involved in the case.
Among those to be questioned is Musa Garba Kwankwaso, nephew of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Musa, scheduled to face investigators on Thursday, will be asked about his company, Novomed Pharmaceuticals, and its role in the alleged scam.
The contract, reportedly awarded without due process, required each local government to pay about N9 million monthly, totalling N396 million every month.
The scandal came to light when Nigerian-American filmmaker Bello Galadanchi alleged that the state government directed all 44 local government councils to pay approximately N10 million for drug supplies, with the contract awarded exclusively to Novomed Pharmaceuticals.
According to Galadanchi, 25 local governments have already made payments for August to the company’s account, including Tofa, Bebeji, Dambatta, Dawakin Tofa, Doguwa, Kumbotso, Tudun Wada, Gezawa, Ungogo, Warawa, Ajingi, Kabo, Kura, Madobi, Bichi, Gwarzo, Rogo, Garun Mallam, Takai, Shanono, Kiru, Makoda, Nasarawa, and Gabasawa.
Critics have accused the interim management committees of these local governments, appointed by Governor Yusuf in March after the elected council chairmen’s terms expired, of lacking transparency in their dealings.
Governor Yusuf distanced himself from the contract late last week, denying prior knowledge of the deal and ordering an immediate investigation into the matter.
The chairman of the PCACC, Muhuyi Magaji, said: “We’ve already issued invitations to about five or six individuals, including the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Local Governments, the Director of Planning, and the Director of Local Government Inspection”.
He said the commission also summoned the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State, the state secretary of the association, as well as the chairman of the Local Governments Directors of Personnel Management Forum. Also invited is the public relations officer of the forum.
