The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has intensified its investigation into a massive procurement scandal involving a staggering N440 million.
The probe centres on allegations that about N10 million was illicitly diverted from each of the 44 local government accounts to Novomed Pharmaceuticals for the purchase of medical supplies, a transaction now under scrutiny for violating public procurement laws.
The alleged corruption, totalling N440 million has sparked outrage and drawn significant attention to the state’s financial management practices.
The PCACC, in a letter dated July 18, 2024, summoned several top officials from the Ministry for Local Government to clarify their roles in the transactions.
Those invited include the Chairman and Secretary of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON, the Chairman and PRO of the DPM Forum, the Director of Local Government Inspection, and the Director of Planning.
The investigation was triggered by a whistle-blower, Dr. Bello Galadanci, a well-known social media content creator who has been outspoken about alleged corrupt practices among Nigerian leaders.
Galadanci accused the Kano State Government of bypassing due process in awarding the contract to Novomed Pharmaceuticals, leading to the alleged diversion of N10 million per local government.
In response, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, has denied any knowledge of the alleged diversion. He asserted his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, emphasizing efforts to block financial leakages that could result in the misuse of public funds.
“My administration is committed to transparency and will not tolerate any form of corruption,” Yusuf stated in a response to the whistleblower’s allegations.
Further, in a joint statement, the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Baba Dantiye, and the governor’s spokesman, Sanusi Bature, confirmed that the governor has ordered an immediate investigation into the matter.
“The governor has directed the Executive Chairman, Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), Muhyi Magaji, to investigate the allegations thoroughly and report the findings for further necessary action,” the statement read.
The officials named in the PCACC’s letter are expected to appear before the Commission on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at 11:00 AM. The meeting, which will take place at the Commission’s office, is crucial to the ongoing investigation into the N440 million procurement scandal.
