Kano Dep Governor loses bid to halt impeachment plot
The Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday declined to grant application moved by the embattled deputy governor Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo to stop his impeachment plot.
In an exparte application filed by Barrister Umar Danbaito, counsel to the plaintiff, the deputy governor sought an interim injunction to forestall his impeachment process already set in motion by the state assembly.
The plaintiff urged the court to halt the process pending the hearing and determination of the original summon filed before the same court.
In his ruling, Justice S.M Shaibu declined the application held that the applicant did not satisfy the requirements of the grant of the interim orders contrived the motion ex-parte.
In response, Justice Shaibu however ordered the applicant to serve the respondents with the processes of the court as a motion exparte to enable them respond appropriately. The court therefore adjourned the matter to 16th April, 2026.
The state house of Assembly recently served Gwarzo a notice of impeachment after accusing him of financial impropriety and abuse of office, given two weeks ultimatum to defend himself.
38 lawmakers of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had signed the impeachment notice of the Deputy Governor in a notice moved by the majority leader of the house, Hon. Lawan Husaini representing Dala constituency. Two members of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).
According to the state legislator, the notice was in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), which outlines the procedure for the removal of a deputy governor from office.
According to the APC lawmaker, the impeachment move was based on several allegations relating to Abdussalam’s conduct while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and later as Deputy Governor.
“This article of impeachment is a formal notice by the Kano State House of Assembly in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution against Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo,” the lawmaker said.
According to the notice, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks from the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024.
The lawmaker claimed that Gwarzo collected about N1.5 million monthly from each council, amounting to about N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within the seven-month period.
The notice also alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received additional payments totalling N726 million under the guise of executing special assignments for the councils.
Lawmaker further accused Gwarzo of abusing his office by allegedly facilitating the release of N440 million from the 44 local government councils to Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited in violation of state procurement and fiscal management laws.
