NOVOMED Gate: APC urges investigation by EFCC, calls for LGs' accounts freezing

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano state has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch a full-scale investigation into the latest scandal involving spending purportedly for medical supply contract to 44 local governments in the state.

In a statement issued to newsmen, chairman of the APC, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas called for the freezing of the accounts of local government councils in the state to stop further plundering of their resources in the name of joint projects.

He said the admission by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf that he was not aware of the sleeze, is a clear indication that he is either not in control or lack capacity to lead the state, as the APC repeatedly insisted.

Abbas described as laughable the directive given to the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission to probe the matter.

The chairman pointed out that going by his antecedents, chairman of the commission, Muhyi Magaji Rimin Gado is partisan, compromised and lack the power to investigate the scandal allegedly involving the immediate family members of the governor’s father in-law and embattled leader of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the state, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso.

He noted that the scandal is the latest in series of financial recklessness allegedly involving officials of the NNPP government.

Abbas recalled that the state government awarded controversial contracts worth N27 billion for the construction of two interchange bridges at Dan-Agundi and Tal’udu junction in the metropolis, the payment of which would be shared in a 30/70 ratio between the state and the 44 local governments.

The chairman said there were still financial allegations that are either not probed or not properly investigated involving government, it’s officials and appointees.

He said these included diversion and repackaging of palliatives by a political appointee attached to Cabinet Office, sale of properties at Radio Kano, missing funds at Abubakar Rimi Television, illegal sale of palliatives at the state Agricultural and Rural Development Authority, diversion of federal government’s palliatives traced to the private residence of the Chief of Staff, Government House, Kano.