ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- 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 diversion of public funds estimated at over N1.6 billion.
The impeachment notice was presented during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who said the action was initiated pursuant to Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to Dala, the allegations stem from Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions allegedly linked to his current role as deputy governor.
He told the House that between June 2023 and January 2024, Gwarzo allegedly received N1.5 million monthly from each of the state’s 44 local government councils as kickbacks amounting to N66 million per month and N462 million within seven months.
The majority leader further alleged that from February to July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments of N3.255 million monthly from each council under the guise of executing special assignments. The arrangement, he claimed, totalled about N726 million within six months.
Dala said the alleged transactions constituted a breach of public trust and ran contrary to the transparency and accountability required of public office holders.
The impeachment notice also accused Gwarzo of abuse of office, alleging that he facilitated payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, a transaction said to amount to N440 million and allegedly carried out in violation of procurement and fiscal regulations.
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“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” Dala told lawmakers, adding that the allegations amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the Constitution.
He disclosed that the notice was endorsed by 38 lawmakers, satisfying the constitutional threshold required to initiate impeachment proceedings, and urged the Speaker to transmit the notice to the deputy governor accordingly.
Following the presentation, members signified their support, while the Speaker acknowledged receipt of the document.
Under constitutional procedure, the House is expected to formally serve the allegations on the deputy governor.
If the required legislative backing is secured, the Chief Judge of the state may be requested to constitute an investigative panel to examine the claims.
As of press time, Gwarzo had yet to publicly respond to the allegations.