Kano commissioner took $30,000 bribe to bail drug kingpin — Department of State Services

Embattled Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, is at the centre of a major scandal after a report by the State Security Service (SSS) accused him of collecting a $30,000 bribe to stand as surety for a notorious drug trafficker, Sulaiman Danwawu.

According to the report, the commissioner agreed to guarantee bail for Mr Danwawu—a high-profile suspect targeted by the Kano State government’s anti-drug campaign—after receiving the money.

The SSS is said to have conducted a discreet investigation and recommended Namadi’s dismissal to Governor Abba Yusuf.

Namadi had earlier been declared wanted for fraud in 2013 before his recent appointment by Governor Yusuf, reportedly at the insistence of NNPP leader Rabiu Kwankwaso. Despite initial anger over the commissioner’s actions, the governor delayed any disciplinary action pending consultations with Kwankwaso.

“The governor sees the commissioner’s action as a direct betrayal of his administration’s anti-drug stance,” a source close to the matter said.

“Namadi’s involvement contradicts a standing resolution of the State Security Council to bring down Danwawu’s network of illicit drug operations in Kano.”

Sources also revealed growing friction between Namadi and key stakeholders, including the state’s NURTW chairman Kabiru Labour, over a controversial N500,000 monthly levy imposed on the union.

In the ministry itself, the commissioner has reportedly sidelined the permanent secretary, Abdulmumin Babani, contributing to administrative stagnation.

Over 30 memos from the Ministry of Transport are said to be delayed, marked “keep in view,” “see me,” or left unapproved by the governor.

Recently, a memo for the purchase of solar-powered tricycles was submitted to the State Executive Council by another ministry—bypassing the Ministry of Transport entirely.

When contacted, Mr Namadi denied all allegations, saying: “I’m not aware of all the allegations you mentioned. It’s not true.” Shortly after, the state commissioner for information, Ibrahim Waiya, called the journalist behind the story, accusing them of harassment and questioning their intentions.

The scandal started on July 24 that Namadi had stood as surety for Danwawu following a bail ruling by Justice M.S. Shu’aibu of the Federal High Court, Kano. The judge had imposed strict bail conditions requiring the accused to produce a serving commissioner and a deposit of ₦5 million.

In a letter dated July 18, 2025, and obtained exclusively, Mr Namadi wrote to the court formally applying to serve as surety and swore an affidavit of means to support his application.

The governor has since set up an investigative panel with a one-week deadline to submit its findings.

The outcome of the probe may determine the future of the embattled commissioner, whose appointment and conduct have sparked public outrage and renewed calls for political accountability in Kano State.