Alleged drug supply scandal: Kwankwaso may drag three anti-graft agencies to Court – Lawyers

The legal representative of Musa Garba Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceutical Company has indicated that his client may challenge multiple invitations by the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and two other anti-graft agencies in court.

Recall that the agency had invited Kwankwaso, the Managing Director of Novomed Pharmaceuticals, to answer questions about contracts awarded by the Ministry for Local Governments in Kano State for the supply of drugs to 44 local government councils.

Musa Garba Kwankwaso was invited by the Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission to be questioned about an alleged drug supply contract scam amounting to N402.6 million, of which N347.7 million was reportedly paid.

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The matter gained attention following an exposé by Bello Galadanchi, a US-based Kano indigene, who alleged that caretaker chairmen were directed to remit N10 million each into Novomed Pharmaceuticals’ account, a company allegedly owned by Kwankwaso.

However, Barrister Okechukwu Nwaeze, the legal representative who accompanied their client to honor the invitation from the Kano anti-graft agency, disclosed that both the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have also extended invitations to their client regarding the same allegations.

Barrister Nwaeze criticized the development, stating that a court ruling already exists, asserting that a person cannot be subjected to interrogation or trial by multiple organizations for the same offense.

According to him, their client adhered to due process in the alleged drug supply contract.

He further argued, “Three agencies are investigating one person for the same offense. I don’t think that is allowed under our constitution.

How many times will we do this? Will we do it three times? So somebody else can wake up tomorrow and say we have to come and invite us, and we still go?”

“We want the court to make a pronouncement. The court has already pronounced on this matter. We are going to stand on this pronouncement and ask for another ruling on this particular issue,” he added.

Barrister Nwaeze further stated, “We are evaluating everything, but three agencies cannot investigate one offense, and we are going to challenge that in court.”

When asked about the court where they would be filing the case, Barrister Nwaeze mentioned that they have yet to decide.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE