Kano State House of Assembly Speaker Jibril Falgore, Deputy Speaker Muhammad Butu, and three additional officials have been summoned for questioning as part of an investigation into a N440 million drug contract scandal involving 44 local government areas.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) issued the summons on September 12. The officials required to appear include Majority Leader Lawan Dala, Minority Leader Labaran Madari, House Clerk Bashir Diso, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The Permanent Secretary is scheduled to meet with the ICPC on September 18, while the Speaker and the other officials are set to be questioned on September 19.
The letter of invitation, dated September 12, 2024, and addressed individually to those invited, reads: “The commission is investigating alleged violations of the provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, No. 5 2000.
“Pursuant to Section 28 of the said Act, you are to appear for an interview before the undersigned at the ICPC headquarters, Abuja. You are expected to come with either a lawyer, Justice of Peace, Staff of the Legal Aid Council, or any individual of your choice.
“The appointment is scheduled and should be strictly adhered to. Accept the assurances of the Hon. Chairman’s highest regard.”
Since July 18, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has been probing a N440 million drug contract awarded to NOVOMED Pharmaceuticals. This contract, meant to supply medications to 44 local government areas, is alleged to have breached the state’s Procurement and Financial Management Laws.
On August 27, however, the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, and all 44 local council heads secured a court order halting the anti-corruption agency’s investigation. They argued that the detention and arrest of their members by the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission infringed upon their constitutional rights.
The court order also sought to restrain not only the ICPC but also the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Commissioner of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Zone 1) Kano, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano Zonal Command.
Justice Ibrahim Musa Muhammad issued the restraining order and adjourned the case to September 12.
During the September 12 court session, ICPC Chairman Dr. Musa Aliyu (SAN) argued that the ALGON chairmen lacked legal standing to challenge the investigation, citing a Supreme Court ruling that declared all local government caretaker committees illegal nationwide. He also contended that the Kano State House of Assembly’s extension of the 44 caretaker chairmen’s tenures was unconstitutional.
Dr. Aliyu requested that the court overturn the restraining order. Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, the ICPC remains committed to continuing its investigation into the drug contract scandal.
A source said: “We received Intel from a whistleblower on the drugs scandal and we have decided to investigate all the allegations. There are many other allegations we are looking into.
“We have invited the Speaker and five others to assist in the course of our investigation. We need to ask them to clarify some issues which may inhibit ongoing investigation.”
