Fresh developments have emerged in the ongoing probe into alleged local government contracts in Kano, with investigators now trailing additional N660 million meant to address the water challenges facing the state, which are feared to have been misappropriated.
Daily Trust learnt that the N660 million is part of the N1.1 billion approved by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf for the 44 local governments to tackle issues related to water and medical supplies.
The approval covered projects slated for August, September and October 2024, with N1.1 billion allocated each month, granting N25 million to each local government.
Of the N25 million approved and released to each local government in August, it was discovered that the caretaker chairmen were directed to remit N10 million each to the account of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, a company reportedly owned by Musa Garba, a nephew of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
The approval covered projects slated for August, September and October 2024, with N1.1 billion allocated each month, granting N25 million to each local government.
Of the N25 million approved and released to each local government in August, it was discovered that the caretaker chairmen were directed to remit N10 million each to the account of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, a company reportedly owned by Musa Garba, a nephew of Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement.
He elaborated that, according to the law, suppliers are generally not permitted to request full payment before the delivery of goods.
“The Public Procurement Law restricts advance payments (including full payment before delivery) to no more than 20% of the contract sum unless specific approval is obtained. The standard practice is to make payments only upon satisfactory delivery of goods or completion of services, ensuring that the government receives value for money and that the procurement process is safeguarded against fraud and non-performance,” he said, adding that these exceptions were not observed in the contract award.
Money spent efficiently, actual facts will be revealed – ALGON
When contacted, Abdullahi Bashir, chairman of the state chapter of ALGON and caretaker chairman of Tarauni Local Government Area, denied the allegations of misappropriation of the N660 million meant for borehole repairs.
“No, it wasn’t like that,” he stated when asked about the alleged mismanagement of the funds.
“Boreholes were fixed everywhere, and this can be verified. I can send you pictures and videos from my local government. I even spent more than the N15 million approved by the government, using my Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to complement the funds,” Bashir explained.
He added that “even the drugs, the actual facts will be out.”
He confirmed that they returned to the anti-corruption agency on Wednesday for further discussions and were allowed to leave by 3pm, when he spoke with Daily Trust.
Bashir later sent several pictures and videos showing workers fixing boreholes, water tanks, and other related tasks as evidence of the project’s execution. In a follow-up call, the ALGON chairman reiterated that these projects were being carried out across all 44 local governments, adding that other caretaker chairmen had been sharing updates on the progress, which can be independently verified.
Anti-graft agency blocks over N160m, to quiz Kwankwaso’s nephew today
As part of the investigation into the N440 million drug contract, the anti-graft agency has secured a post-no-debit order on the account of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, blocking over N160 million while moving to recover the remaining sum.
“Boreholes were fixed everywhere, and this can be verified. I can send you pictures and videos from my local government. I even spent more than the N15 million approved by the government, using my Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to complement the funds,” Bashir explained.
He added that “even the drugs, the actual facts will be out.”
He confirmed that they returned to the anti-corruption agency on Wednesday for further discussions and were allowed to leave by 3pm, when he spoke with Daily Trust.
Bashir later sent several pictures and videos showing workers fixing boreholes, water tanks, and other related tasks as evidence of the project’s execution. In a follow-up call, the ALGON chairman reiterated that these projects were being carried out across all 44 local governments, adding that other caretaker chairmen had been sharing updates on the progress, which can be independently verified.
Anti-graft agency blocks over N160m, to quiz Kwankwaso’s nephew today
As part of the investigation into the N440 million drug contract, the anti-graft agency has secured a post-no-debit order on the account of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, blocking over N160 million while moving to recover the remaining sum.
Daily Trust
