Nasarawa: Gov Sule Orders Probe, Arrest Over Alleged Sale of Donated Hospital Equipment

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has ordered the investigation, arrest and prosecution of health workers accused of allegedly selling hospital equipment donated to a healthcare facility in Umaisha Development Area.

Sule described the alleged sale of the equipment as a serious act of misconduct and corruption, saying such behaviour demonstrated a lack of concern for patients and the healthcare needs of residents.

The governor issued the directive on Wednesday while inaugurating eight commissioners, special advisers, permanent secretaries and board members at the Government House in Lafia.

He directed the Commissioner for Health, Dr Gaza Gwamna, to investigate the allegations and ensure that anyone found responsible was prosecuted.

Sule explained that the equipment was donated by Ibrahim Abdullahi Sa’ad, the member representing Umaisha/Ugya Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly.

According to the governor, the lawmaker reportedly purchased the items with his personal funds after becoming concerned about the condition of the local primary healthcare facility.

“A very honourable member from Umaisha/Ugya recently bought a lot of mattresses and all kinds of fans, standing fans, ceiling fans and the rest of that because he was concerned about what his local primary healthcare was undergoing,” Sule said.

The governor said the lawmaker later returned to the facility and discovered that officials had allegedly sold the donated items.

“Few days back, he returned there and discovered that the officials of the hospital had actually sold those items. This is a terrible thing that will happen if you have people who do not mean well for Nasarawa State,” he added.

Sule expressed concern over the alleged incident, stressing that government health facilities should protect resources provided to improve healthcare delivery rather than allow them to be diverted.

He directed the Health Commissioner to establish the facts surrounding the alleged sale and identify those responsible.

The governor further instructed the commissioner to submit the outcome of the investigation by the end of the week.

The directive underscores the state government’s position that public and donated healthcare resources must be properly safeguarded and used for their intended purpose.

Authorities are expected to determine whether the allegations are substantiated and, if so, prosecute those found culpable.