Kwankwaso Fights Back: Challenges EFCC Over Alleged N440m Drug Deal

Kwankwaso confronts the EFCC, denying involvement in the alleged N440 million drug deal, and vows to clear his name in the ongoing investigation.

In court, Garba Kwankwaso intends to contest the actions of three anti-corruption agencies. He is also the nephew of Rabiu Kwankwaso, leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Following his recent appearance with his legal team before the State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC), this development has arisen.

A meeting was organized by PCACC with Garba Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, to discuss allegations related to a drug supply contract worth millions of naira.

The inquiry, as stated in a correspondence from CSP Salisu Saleh who oversees operations at the commission, pertains to potential breaches of Sections 31 and 33 under both the Public Procurement Law and Financial Management Law.

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The investigation revolves around a contract worth N440 million that was granted by the Kano State Ministry for Local Governments to Novomed Pharmaceuticals. The company is responsible for providing medication to 44 local councils.

As the inquiry progresses, Novomed Pharmaceuticals’ account has been subjected to a post-no-debit directive by the anticorruption agency. This has resulted in N160 million being frozen while attempts are made to retrieve the remaining amount of money involved.

According to Barrister Okechukwu Nwaeze, the lawyer representing Kwankwaso, it is unconstitutional for several agencies to engage in a single investigation. He criticized the involvement of ICPC, EFCC and PCACC in investigating an individual for similar offenses stating that such actions could lead to repetitive measures and unnecessary harassment.

He stated that they are pursuing legal clarification regarding this matter by referring to a previous court ruling and soliciting additional judicial advice.

It was filmmaker and content creator Bello Galadanchi who brought the controversy to public attention in the United States. He claimed that caretaker chairmen had been given directives to deposit N10 million individually into Novomed Pharmaceuticals’ account, sparking widespread concern.

Several officials, including Mohammed Kabara, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and Abdullahi Bashir, chairman of the state ALGON branch are being questioned after their transactions were flagged as potentially fraudulent by PCACC.

After being interrogated earlier this week, these officials were then released on administrative bail.