By kawaekwune Jeffrey
The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has frozen a bank account linked to a N160 million contract scam allegedly involving local government funds.
In addition, the commission is said to be working to recover an additional N440 million tied to the case.
Among those summoned for questioning is Musa Garba Kwankwaso, nephew of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement. Musa is expected to appear on Thursday over allegations concerning his company, Novomed Pharmaceuticals, which is at the center of the controversy.
The contract, awarded to Novomed Pharmaceuticals was said to have been awarded without allegedly following due process. The procedural protocols required each local government to pay around N9 million monthly, totaling N396 million.
The scandal was said to have been exposed by Bello Galadanchi, a Nigerian filmmaker based in the U.S. He revealed that the state government had instructed local councils to pay N10 million for drug supplies to Novomed Pharmaceuticals, with 25 local governments already making payments to the company’s account for August.
Recall that mounting criticisms have soared over the conduct of local governments’ interim management committees, appointed by Governor Yusuf in March. However, the governor has distanced himself from the contract.
PCACC Chairman Muhuyi Magaji confirmed that several individuals, including top officials from the Ministry for Local Governments and the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Kano State, have been invited for questioning as the investigation continues.
