A report by the State Security Service (SSS) has accused Kano State Commissioner for Transport, Ibrahim Namadi, of collecting a $30,000 bribe from a notorious drug kingpin, Sulaiman Danwawu, in exchange for standing as his surety in court, according to Daily Nigerian.
The SSS investigation alleges that Namadi received the cash before agreeing to stand as surety for Danwawu, a man long monitored by law enforcement for drug-related offenses. A security source revealed that a formal recommendation has already been sent to Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, urging Namadi’s dismissal for what was described as a “betrayal of public trust.”
Namadi, previously tried for fraud in 2013, was appointed Commissioner under the influence of New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso. A senior government official described the situation as “a major embarrassment,” adding, “This is a government that invested resources to track and arrest Danwawu, yet a serving commissioner steps in to shield him. It’s unacceptable.”
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Following widespread public criticism, Governor Yusuf set up an investigative committee to look into the matter and submit its findings within a week. Though initial moves were made to sack the commissioner, sources say the governor slowed down after conferring with Kwankwaso, Namadi’s political sponsor.
“The governor is in a tight spot,” said one insider. “Namadi’s past is well known, but taking action against him could trigger political tensions within the NNPP.”
In addition to the bribery allegation, Namadi is also entangled in a separate feud with the state chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Kabiru Labour, over alleged monthly kickbacks of N500,000. He is further accused of sidelining the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulmumin Babani, leaving over 30 official memos pending approval on the governor’s desk.
“There are memos awaiting action, some flagged ‘see me,’ others marked ‘keep in view’, but no decisive movement,” a ministry source noted. One example cited was a proposal for solar-powered tricycles taken directly to the State Executive Council without any input from the transport ministry.
When contacted, Commissioner Namadi denied all allegations, stating, “I’m not aware of any of these stories. They’re not true.”
Shortly after the interview, Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Waiya, contacted the reporter, accusing him of “harassing” Namadi. “What kind of journalism is this? Why won’t you let the matter rest?” Waiya reportedly asked.
The controversy stems from a Federal High Court ruling on July 24, which granted bail to Danwawu under the condition that a serving state commissioner stands as surety and that N5 million be deposited with the court.
Namadi had earlier submitted a sworn affidavit and an official application to the court dated July 18, 2025, stating:
“I humbly wish to apply to stand as surety for the Defendant in the above suit (SULAIMAN AMINU), who was granted bail by this Honourable Court in the sum of Three Million Naira only (N3,000,000.00) and one surety in the like sum. Also, the Defendant shall deposit N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only which shall be placed in an interest-yielding account.”
This document has been included in the SSS investigative report and is expected to play a pivotal role in the outcome of the government panel’s findings.
