The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has arrested five persons, including Alhaji Mohammed Kabara, Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, over an alleged multi-billion naira drugs supply scam.

Also arrested by the commission is the chairman of the state branch of the Association for Local Governments of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdullahi Bashir, who is also the Chairman, Tauroni Local Government Area.

The Public Relations Officer of the commission, Kabiru Kabiru, confirmed the arrests to newsmen on Wednesday.

Similarly, the anti-graft agency arrested the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Garba Kwankwaso, the nephew of the NNPP National Leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso, in connection with the alleged scam.

The suspects were accused of connivance to award a contract to Novomed for the supply of drugs to 38 LGAs government areas in the state, thus violating public procurement laws.

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Preliminary investigations revealed that each of the 38 LGAs paid N9.150 million to Novomed for the procurement of drugs but the drugs were not supplied.

“We have 44 LGAs in the state and they succeeded in collecting N9.150 from 38 councils for supply of the drugs that were not supplied.

“The findings also revealed that all the suspects are cooperating with the commission’s investigation team.

Kabiru said the commission was working to unravel the full extent of the alleged scam and bring those responsible to justice.

He also confirmed that the suspects were in the commission’s custody while the investigation was still ongoing.

PUNCH