Kano Deputy Governor's Court Bid to Stop Impeachment Fails
The Federal High Court in Kano has declined to grant an application by Deputy Governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo to halt his impeachment process, dealing a significant blow to his efforts to retain office amidst serious allegations.
Court Ruling and Legal Proceedings
On Wednesday, Justice S.M. Shaibu ruled against the exparte application filed by Barrister Umar Danbaito, counsel to Gwarzo, which sought an interim injunction to stop the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Kano State House of Assembly. The judge held that the applicant did not meet the necessary requirements for granting such an order. Instead, Justice Shaibu ordered Gwarzo to serve the respondents with the court processes to allow them to respond appropriately. The case has been adjourned to April 16, 2026, for further hearing.
Impeachment Notice and Allegations
The state assembly recently served Gwarzo with a notice of impeachment, accusing him of financial impropriety and abuse of office, and giving him a two-week ultimatum to defend himself. The notice was moved by Majority Leader Hon. Lawan Husaini, representing Dala constituency, and signed by 38 lawmakers from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), along with two members of the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP). According to the legislators, this action complies with Section 188 of the Nigerian Constitution, which outlines the procedure for removing a deputy governor.
Specific Accusations Against Gwarzo
The impeachment move is based on multiple allegations related to Gwarzo's conduct during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government and later as Deputy Governor. Key accusations include:
- Allegedly receiving kickbacks of about N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government councils in Kano State between June 2023 and January 2024, totaling approximately N462 million over seven months.
- Receiving additional payments totaling N726 million between February and July 2024 under the pretext of executing special assignments for the councils.
- Abusing his office by facilitating the release of N440 million from the local government councils to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited, allegedly in violation of state procurement and fiscal management laws.
These allegations form the basis of the formal impeachment notice, which lawmakers describe as a necessary step to uphold accountability and constitutional governance in Kano State.
