The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The impeachment notice was presented during plenary by the House Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action follows Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Dala told lawmakers that the allegations relate to Abdussalam’s tenure as commissioner for local government from 2023 to 2024, as well as his current role as deputy governor.
According to the majority leader, Abdussalam allegedly participated in the diversion of funds intended for the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils while serving as commissioner.
He alleged that between June 2023 and January 2024, the deputy governor received a monthly kickback of ₦1.5 million from each council, totaling ₦66 million per month and ₦462 million over the seven-month period.
Dala further claimed that between February and July 2024, Abdussalam received additional payments from the councils under the pretext of executing special assignments, amounting to ₦3.255 million monthly from each council, or roughly ₦726 million over six months.
“These payments, if true, constitute a breach of public trust and undermine the transparency and accountability expected of public officials,” Dala said.
The impeachment notice also accused Abdussalam of abusing his office, alleging that he facilitated payments of ₦10 million from each of the 44 local government councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, in violation of state procurement and fiscal management laws. The transaction, the majority leader claimed, amounted to ₦440 million.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” Dala told the Assembly, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the Constitution.
He noted that 38 lawmakers endorsed the impeachment notice, meeting the constitutional requirement to initiate proceedings, and urged the Speaker to transmit the notice to the deputy governor.
Following the presentation, members of the Assembly expressed support for the motion, while the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the notice.
Under the constitution, the House is expected to formally serve the allegations on the deputy governor and may subsequently request the state’s chief judge to constitute a panel to investigate, if the motion receives the required legislative backing.
As of filing, the deputy governor had yet to publicly respond to the allegations.
