THE Kano State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, following a series of allegations bordering on gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.
News Point Nigeria reports that the impeachment process was formally initiated during plenary after the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Lawan Hussaini Dala, presented a notice detailing the accusations against the deputy governor.
According to Dala, the action was taken in compliance with the provisions of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, particularly Section 188, which outlines the legal framework for removing a state governor or deputy governor from office over allegations of gross misconduct.
The majority leader told lawmakers that the impeachment notice contains several allegations related to Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions linked to his current office as deputy governor.
He alleged that during his time as commissioner, when he oversaw the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils, Gwarzo was involved in the diversion of funds meant for local government operations.
According to Dala, between June 2023 and January 2024, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks of N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government areas.
He explained that the arrangement allegedly generated N66 million every month, amounting to N462 million over seven months.
The lawmaker said such actions constituted a breach of public trust and undermined transparency and accountability in governance.
Dala further alleged that between February and July 2024, Gwarzo received additional payments from the local government councils under the pretext of executing special assignments.
He claimed the payments amounted to N3.255 million monthly from each of the 44 councils, bringing the total to approximately N726 million within six months.
According to him, the alleged financial dealings violated ethical standards expected of public officials and further eroded confidence in the administration of public funds.
The impeachment notice also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office in relation to a controversial transaction involving a pharmaceutical company, NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.
Dala alleged that while serving as commissioner, Gwarzo used his position to facilitate payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to the company.
The payments, which reportedly totalled N440 million, were allegedly carried out in violation of the state’s procurement and fiscal management laws.
“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” the majority leader said while presenting the notice before the Assembly.
Dala noted that the allegations collectively amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution, which covers serious violations of constitutional provisions or acts considered incompatible with the duties of a public office holder.
He further informed the Assembly that the impeachment notice had been endorsed by 38 lawmakers, surpassing the constitutional requirement needed to initiate the process.
The majority leader therefore urged the Speaker to approve the transmission of the notice to the deputy governor in accordance with due process.
“Based on the foregoing allegations, we hereby resolve that His Excellency, Aminu Abdussalam, the Deputy Governor of Kano State, be impeached and removed from office in accordance with the provisions of Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Dala stated.
Following the presentation, members of the Assembly voiced their support for the impeachment move.
The Speaker acknowledged receipt of the notice and is expected to formally communicate the allegations to the deputy governor as required by the constitution.
Under Nigeria’s constitutional provisions, once the notice is served and supported by the required number of lawmakers, the Assembly may request the Chief Judge of the state to constitute an investigative panel to examine the allegations and determine their validity.
As of the time of filing this report, Gwarzo had not issued any public response to the allegations levelled against him.