Unveiled: Kano Commissioner's Alleged Acceptance of $30,000 Bribe as Guarantor for Notorious Drug Trafficker
In Kano State, Ibrahim Namadi, the Commissioner for Transport, is under investigation for allegedly taking a $30,000 bribe to stand as surety for Sulaiman Danwawu, a known drug dealer facing serious drug-related charges. The Department of State Security Service (DSS) conducted a discreet probe and recommended Namadi’s dismissal to the Kano State governor after confirming the allegations.
The scandal came to light when Namadi submitted a formal application dated July 18, 2025, to the Federal High Court in Kano, requesting to stand as surety for Danwawu in the ongoing case (Charge No: FHC/KN/CR/93/2025). Despite having a previous criminal record, including being wanted by the Nigeria Police for fraud and facing charges in 2013, Namadi was appointed Commissioner by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
The implications of this scandal are significant. Public outrage over corruption within government ranks, potential undermining of judicial integrity, and increased scrutiny of political appointments are among the concerns raised. The ongoing DSS investigation and government-led probe aim to address these issues, with recommendations reportedly leaning towards Namadi’s removal from office to restore public trust.
Governor Yusuf has not made any public statements regarding the investigation or the recommendations. However, the frosty relationship between Yusuf and Namadi has caused an administrative logjam, resulting in more than 30 memos from the Ministry of Transport being either marked "keep in view", "see me" or unapproved by the governor.
Namadi has denied all the allegations when contacted to respond. In a surprising turn of events, the state commissioner for information, Ibrahim Waiya, accused Daily Nigerian of harassing Namadi after he denied the allegations. Waiya claimed that he reached out to the platform a few minutes after Namadi's phone call.
The DSS report states that Namadi was paid $30,000 before agreeing to stand as surety for Danwawu. The judge ordered Namadi to produce a serving commissioner and deposit ₦5 million as bail for Danwawu. Governor Yusuf approved a discreet operation to arrest Danwawu, which CP Bakori successfully executed.
The DSS is still investigating the bribe-for-bail scandal and has not yet made any public recommendations regarding Namadi’s dismissal. The ongoing investigation and the governor's decision on the matter will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Kano State's government and its citizens.
[1] Daily Nigerian (2025). Kano State Commissioner for Transport Under Investigation for Alleged Bribe-for-Bail Scandal. [online] Available at: https://dailynigerian.com/2025/08/01/kano-state-commissioner-for-transport-under-investigation-for-alleged-bribe-for-bail-scandal/
[2] Premium Times (2025). Kano Commissioner for Transport Accused of Taking $30,000 Bribe to Stand as Surety for Drug Dealer. [online] Available at: https://premiumtimesng.com/local/north-west/436392-kano-commissioner-for-transport-accused-of-taking-30000-bribe-to-stand-as-surety-for-drug-dealer.html
[3] Vanguard (2025). Kano Commissioner for Transport Under Investigation for Alleged Bribe-for-Bail Scandal. [online] Available at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/kano-commissioner-for-transport-under-investigation-for-alleged-bribe-for-bail-scandal/
[4] Sahara Reporters (2025). Kano Commissioner for Transport Appointed Despite Criminal Record. [online] Available at: https://www.saharareporters.com/2025/08/02/kano-commissioner-transport-appointed-despite-criminal-record
[5] The Cable (2025). Kano Commissioner for Transport Faces Allegations of Bribe-for-Bail Scandal. [online] Available at: https://www.thecable.ng/kano-commissioner-for-transport-faces-allegations-of-bribe-for-bail-scandal
- Ibrahim Namadi, the Kano State Commissioner for Transport, is under investigation for reportedly taking a $30,000 bribe as a surety for a drug dealer, Sulaiman Danwawu, according to multiple news outlets, including Daily Nigerian, Premium Times, Vanguard, Sahara Reporters, and The Cable.
- Despite having a criminal record, including being wanted by the Nigeria Police for fraud and facing charges in 2013, Namadi was appointed Commissioner by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in Nigeria.
- The ongoing investigation by the Department of State Security Service (DSS) has revealed that Namadi was paid $30,000 before agreeing to stand as surety for Danwawu, and the judge ordered Namadi to produce a serving commissioner and deposit ₦5 million as bail for Danwawu.
- The scandal has sparked public outrage over corruption within government ranks, concerns over potential undermining of judicial integrity, and increased scrutiny of political appointments.
- Governor Yusuf has not made any public statements regarding the investigation or recommendations, while the state commissioner for information, Ibrahim Waiya, accused Daily Nigerian of harassing Namadi after he denied the allegations.
- The ongoing investigation and the governor's decision on the matter will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for Kano State's government and its citizens, impacting policy-and-legislation, politics, general news, and crime-and-justice.
