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The Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) on Tuesday, resulting in the arrest of two influential figures: Ibrahim Kabara, the top bureaucrat at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Abdullahi Bashir, a dual-hatted official serving as both ALGON Chairman and interim Council Chairman of Tarauni Local Government.
The arrests of Kabara and Bashir were part of a broader investigation into alleged corruption surrounding the procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for Kano State’s 44 local governments, with five other individuals also taken into custody in connection with the case.
The commission’s inquiry has also ensnared Musa Garba, the head of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, and a relative of former Governor Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, with both individuals summoned for questioning in connection with the ongoing investigation.
The PCACC has identified breaches of three critical laws by the arrested officials: the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Law, the Public Procurement Law, and the Financial Management Law, which are designed to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability in public office.
The controversy surrounds the alleged irregular awarding of a contract for the supply of medical essentials, which purportedly sidestepped statutory protocols and omitted the necessary authorization from Governor Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.
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A source close to the commission disclosed that Abdullahi Ibrahim Bashir, the ALGON Chairman, has confessed to directing the illegal payment of ₦402.6m for the procurement. Of this amount, ₦347.7m was allegedly paid by 38 of the state’s local governments before the Commission launched its investigation.
“The actions taken by these officials were in clear contravention of the law,” said the source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the investigation. “They bypassed necessary protocols and proceeded with the contract without proper authorization.”
The arrested officials, who were brought to the commission’s office at 11 AM on Tuesday, were still in custody as of 11:15 AM, undergoing intensive questioning by the commission’s operatives.
The PCACC has vowed to continue its investigation into the matter, promising to uncover the full extent of the alleged corruption.
“We are committed to ensuring that all those involved in this illegal act are held accountable,” the source added.
