The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has taken decisive action in an ongoing investigation into an alleged local government contract scam by imposing a post-no-debit order on accounts linked to the case. The commission has successfully frozen ₦160 million and is working to recover an additional ₦440 million as part of the crackdown on the scandal.
Key figures connected to the case are set to be interrogated, including Musa Garba Kwankwaso, a nephew of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Musa Kwankwaso, who is scheduled to appear before the PCACC’s investigators on Thursday, will be questioned about his company’s involvement in the alleged scam. Novomed Pharmaceuticals, his company, is reportedly central to the controversy surrounding a contract awarded for drug supplies to local governments in the state.
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The alleged scandal involves contracts awarded without proper procedure, with each of the 44 local government councils in Kano State directed to pay approximately ₦9 million monthly for drug supplies. This arrangement totals ₦396 million every month. The contract was reportedly awarded exclusively to Novomed Pharmaceuticals, raising significant concerns about potential misconduct and abuse of office.
The issue came to light through allegations made by Bello Galadanchi, a Nigerian filmmaker based in the U.S., who claimed that the Kano State government had directed local governments to pay around ₦10 million monthly under questionable circumstances. Payments for August have been reportedly made to the company’s account by several local governments, including Tofa, Bebeji, Dambatta, and others.
Governor Yusuf of Kano State has distanced himself from the contract, denying prior knowledge and calling for an immediate probe into the matter. The PCACC has already issued invitations to several officials, including the permanent secretary of the Ministry for Local Governments and the chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State, among others, as part of their investigation.
