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The Kano State House of Assembly has started impeachment proceedings against the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.
The notice to begin the process was introduced during plenary by the Majority Leader of the Assembly, Lawan Hussaini Dala.
Dala told lawmakers that the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which outlines the procedure for removing a deputy governor from office.
According to Dala, the allegations against Gwarzo relate to both his current role as deputy governor and his service as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024.
The majority leader alleged that while overseeing the local government ministry, Gwarzo was involved in the diversion of funds intended for the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils.
He told the Assembly that between June 2023 and January 2024, the deputy governor allegedly received monthly payments of ₦1.5 million from each of the 44 councils.
The arrangement, he said, amounted to ₦66 million every month and a total of about ₦462 million within seven months.
Dala also claimed that additional payments were allegedly made between February and July 2024 under the guise of funding special assignments.
According to him, each council reportedly paid ₦3.255 million monthly during that period, bringing the total to about ₦726 million over six months.
The majority leader said the alleged transactions breach the trust placed in public officials and undermine standards of transparency and accountability in governance.
The impeachment notice also included accusations of abuse of office.
Dala alleged that Gwarzo used his position as commissioner to facilitate payments of ₦10 million from each of the 44 local government councils to a company identified as NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.
He said the payments, which allegedly totalled ₦440 million, were carried out in violation of the state’s procurement and financial 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.
During the plenary session, the majority leader stated that the alleged actions fall within the definition of gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution.
Dala also told the House that 38 Assembly members had approved the impeachment notice, fulfilling the constitutional prerequisite for starting the impeachment procedure.
Later, as required by law, he urged the Speaker to formally forward the notice of allegations to the deputy governor.
After the presentation, several lawmakers expressed support for the motion, and the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the notice.
