Drugs Scandal: ICPC Summons Kano Speaker, Five Others
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPCP, on Fridays, summoned the Kano State House of Assembly Speaker, Jibril Falgore, over connection with the ongoing investigation into the N440 million drug contract scandal across the 44 Local Government Areas of the state.
Also, his deputy, Muhammad Bello Butu-Butu, the Majority Leader, Hussaini Lawan Dala; Minority Leader, Labaran Madari; Clerk of the House, Bashir Diso; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs were summoned.
The Permanent Secretary, according to the ICPC is scheduled to appear before the commission on September 18, while the Speaker, alongside others, is to be interrogated on September 19.
In the invitation letter, the ICPC stated, โThe Commission is investigating alleged violations 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 a lawyer, Justice of the Peace, a staff member of the Legal Aid Council, or any individual of your choice.โ
The investigation is the sequel to the July 18 attempt by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the N440m drug contract awarded to NOVOMED Pharmaceuticals for supplying drugs to the local government areas.
โAllegations have been raised that the contract violated the stateโs Procurement Law and Financial Management Law.โ
But the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), the Ministry of Local Government Affairs, and the 44 council Chairmen, on August 27, secured a court order restraining the stateโs anti-graft commission from further probing the matter.
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They argued that the actions of the Commission violated their fundamental human rights, citing Sections of the 1999 Constitution.
Also, ALGON and the councils sought an order from a Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Musa Muhammad, to prevent other agencies, including the ICPC, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigeria Police, from investigating the case.
