Governor set to probe Procurement Fraud In N440million Contracts, Invites ALGON Chairman, Others
The investigation was triggered by a whistle-blower, Dr. Bello Galadanci, a media content creator who has been outspoken about alleged corrupt practices among Nigerian leaders.
The Kano State government has commenced investigations on the violation of procurement laws in the award of a N440million contract for drug supply.
The investigation was triggered by a whistle-blower, Dr. Bello Galadanci, a media content creator who has been outspoken about alleged corrupt practices among Nigerian leaders.
It would be recalled that Dan Bello had alleged that 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 government in reaction has however noted that the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) has intensified its investigation into a the allegation.
The alleged corrupt practice had 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.)
Dr. 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.
Earlier, Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, 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.
It was further stated that 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, the government noted.
