Kano State Commissioner Namadi Accused Of Taking $30,000 Bribe To Stand Surety For Drug Dealer

The Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, is at the centre of a fresh controversy after allegedly collecting a $30,000 bribe from a notorious drug dealer, Sulaiman Danwawu, in exchange for standing as his surety.

According to a report filed by the State Security Service (SSS), Namadi allegedly facilitated the release of Danwawu, who is facing serious drug-related charges, by offering to serve as his guarantor in court — a move that has triggered widespread public outrage.

Namadi was previously declared wanted by the Nigeria Police for fraud and later faced criminal charges in 2013. 

Despite his controversial record, he was appointed Commissioner and a member of the Kano State Executive Council by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.

According to Daily Nigerian, sources at the SSS headquarters in Abuja revealed that the agency had discreetly investigated the bribe-for-bail scandal and recommended the commissioner’s dismissal to the governor.

The report states that the commissioner allegedly received a $30,000 bribe in exchange for agreeing to stand as surety for a well-known drug trafficker, Sulaiman Danwawu.

Following widespread public outrage, the governor set up an investigative panel with a mandate to probe the scandal and submit its findings within one week.

The governor, who had previously supported efforts to arrest Danwawu and had pressured the NDLEA not to release him on bail, was reportedly furious upon discovering his commissioner’s role in the controversy.

“Governor Abba Yusuf sees the commissioner’s action as a direct affront to his government’s war against drug abuse,” said another source.

“Some months ago, the state security council, which is chaired by the governor himself, resolved that the only solution to checking the influx of illicit drugs into Kano was to arrest Danwawu.

“The governor therefore approved a discreet operation to arrest Danwawu, which CP Bakori successfully executed.”

Governor Abba Yusuf initially intended to sack the commissioner immediately but reportedly suspended the decision after “consulting” with NNPP leader, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Daily Nigerian gathered that Namadi, though nominated for the commissioner post by Mr. Kwankwaso, was appointed by the governor only after months of hesitation.

“The commissioner has many scandals but the governor’s hands are tied because he does not want to be disloyal to Kwankwaso. Currently, the commissioner is fighting with the state chairman of NURTW, Kabiru Labour, for imposing on the union a payment of mandatory N500,000 “return” monthly,” said an insider.

It was gathered that the commissioner has also been sidelining his permanent secretary, Abdulmumin Babani, in the management of the ministry’s affairs.

Sources say the strained relationship between the governor and the embattled commissioner has led to an administrative standstill, with over 30 memos from the Ministry of Transport either marked “keep in view,” “see me,” or unapproved by the governor.

“Owing to the commissioner’s incompetence as well as lack of harmony with his permanent secretary, the governor is often sidelining the ministry even in matters that directly affect it. Recently, a memo was presented before the Kano State Executive Council for the purchase of solar tricycles, but the Ministry of Transport was not the initiator of the memo,” said a source.

When reached for comment, Namadi denied all the allegations, stating that, “I’m not aware of all the allegations you mentioned, it’s not true."

On July 25, 2025, SaharaReporters reported that the Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, denied having any personal relationship with Sulaiman Danwawu, a man currently standing trial for alleged drug-related offences.

The denial comes amid reports that Namadi stood as a surety for Danwawu, who is being prosecuted at the Federal High Court in Kano.

SaharaReporters had reported that Namadi stood surety for Danwawu by fulfilling strict bail conditions imposed by the court.

The case, marked Charge No: FHC/KN/CR/93/2025, is between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sulaiman Aminu.  

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