The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, 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 Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

According to Dala, the notice contains several allegations linked to Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions allegedly taken in his current role as deputy governor. The accusations primarily centre on the alleged diversion of local government funds and abuse of official powers.

Dala told lawmakers that while supervising the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils, the deputy governor allegedly received ₦1.5 million monthly from each council between June 2023 and January 2024. The payments, he said, amounted to ₦66 million per month and a total of ₦462 million within the seven-month period.

The Majority Leader further alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments under the pretext of carrying out special assignments. Each of the 44 local government councils was said to have paid ₦3.255 million monthly during the six-month period, bringing the total amount to approximately ₦726 million.

Dala argued that the alleged transactions violated the principles of transparency and accountability expected of public office holders.

The impeachment notice also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office over a separate transaction involving payments to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited. According to the Majority Leader, Gwarzo allegedly facilitated payments of ₦10 million each from the 44 local government councils to the company, amounting to ₦440 million, in breach of the state’s procurement and fiscal management regulations.

“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” Dala said while presenting the notice before the Assembly.

He added that the cumulative allegations amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution, which refers to serious violations of the constitution or misconduct by a public office holder.

Dala informed the House that the impeachment notice had been endorsed by 38 lawmakers, meeting the constitutional requirement needed to initiate the impeachment process. He urged the Speaker to ensure that the notice is formally transmitted to the deputy governor in accordance with the law.

“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,” he said.

Following the presentation, members of the Assembly indicated support for the motion. The Speaker acknowledged receipt of the document and is expected to formally notify the deputy governor as required by constitutional procedures.

Under the constitution, once the notice is served, the House may request the Chief Judge of the state to constitute an investigative panel if the motion secures the required legislative majority. The panel would then investigate the allegations and submit its findings to the Assembly for further action.