The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) on Tuesday arrested the Permanent Secretary of the Kano Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Kabara, and the State ALGON Chairman and interim Council Chairman of Tarauni Local Government, Abdullahi Bashir.

They were said to be part of a syndicate involved in the procurement of drugs and medical equipment for the 44 local government areas of the state.

The web of investigation also led the commission to invite the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, Musa Garba and nephew of former Kano State Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, for questioning as part of its ongoing investigation.

The arrested officials are suspected of breaching three laws of the state, namely, the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law, the Public Procurement Law and the Financial Management Law.

They were alleged to have awarded contract for the supply of drugs and medical equipment in a manner that violated the statutory provisions of procurement law and without obtaining the requisite consent and approval from Kano State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.

Abdullahi Ibrahim Bashir, the ALGON Chairman, has reportedly admitted directing the illegal payment of ₦402.6m for the procurement, out of which ₦347.7m was allegedly paid by 38 of the state’s local governments before the Commission commenced its probe.

Kano state government since May 29, 2023 had served intent to run a zero-corruption governance system and has intensified its probe of key actors in the state in the past including investigating and prosecuting immediate past Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.