- The Kano State House of Assembly has begun impeachment proceedings against Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust
- Lawmakers alleged that Gwarzo, during his tenure as commissioner for local government between 2023 and 2024, received monthly kickbacks from the state’s 44 local government councils
- The impeachment notice also accused the deputy governor of facilitating payments of N10mn each from the 44 councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, a transaction said to amount to N440mn
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated 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 impeachment notice was presented during plenary on Thursday, March 5, by the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Hussaini Dala. He told lawmakers that the action was taken in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
According to Dala, the allegations against the deputy governor stem from his tenure as commissioner for local government between 2023 and 2024, as well as his current role as deputy governor.
He alleged that Gwarzo participated in the diversion of funds intended for the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils during his time as commissioner overseeing the sector.
The majority leader further told the Assembly that between June 2023 and January 2024, the deputy governor allegedly received a monthly kickback of N1.5 million from each of the 44 local government areas.
Dala said the arrangement amounted to N66 million monthly, bringing the total to N462 million over the seven-month period.
He added that between February and July 2024, Gwarzo allegedly received additional payments from the local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments.
According to him, the payments amounted to N3.255 million monthly from each council, totalling about N726 million over the six-month period.
Dala told lawmakers that the alleged payments constituted a breach of public trust and undermined the transparency and accountability expected of public officials.
The impeachment notice also accused the deputy governor of abuse of office.
The majority leader alleged that Gwarzo used his position as commissioner to facilitate payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.
He said the transaction, which allegedly amounted to N440 million, was 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 told the Assembly.
Dala added that the allegations amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the Constitution.
He further informed lawmakers that the impeachment notice was endorsed by 38 members of the Assembly, meeting the constitutional requirement needed to commence the process.
Following the presentation, members of the House expressed support for the motion, while the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, acknowledged receipt of the notice and directed that it be transmitted to the deputy governor in line with constitutional provisions.
Under the Constitution, the House is required to serve the allegations on the deputy governor and may subsequently request the state’s chief judge to constitute an investigative panel if the motion secures the required legislative backing.