The Kano State House of Assembly has started the legal process of removing Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo from office.
Aminu Gwarzo is being impeached over accusations of misconduct, abuse of authority, and violation of public trust.
The decision was announced during a parliamentary session by Majority Leader Lawan Hussaini Dala.
He said the move follows the constitutional procedure outlined in Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
Dala explained that the allegations are connected to Gwarzo’s time as commissioner for local government affairs between 2023 and 2024, as well as his current role as deputy governor.
He claimed that the deputy governor was involved in the diversion of money meant for the 44 local government councils in the state.
The majority leader alleged that from June 2023 to January 2024, Gwarzo received N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 councils.
He said this arrangement amounted to about N66 million every month and a total of roughly N462 million over seven months.
He also alleged that from February to July 2024, the deputy governor received further payments from the councils under the claim that the money was for special projects.
According to him, these payments were about N3.255 million per month from each council, reaching approximately N726 million in six months.
Dala said the alleged transactions showed a lack of transparency and were a breach of public office ethics.
The lawmakers also accused the deputy governor of abusing his position by helping approve payments of N10 million each from the 44 local government councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.
The Assembly said the total payment was about N440 million and may have violated state financial and procurement rules.
The majority leader said using official authority to give unfair business advantages is considered abuse of power under constitutional law.
He added that the allegations qualify as gross misconduct under the constitution.
Dala also told the Assembly that 38 lawmakers signed the impeachment notice, meeting the required number needed to begin the process.
He asked the speaker to send the notice to the deputy governor as required by law.
After the announcement, many members of the Assembly supported the motion, and the speaker confirmed that the notice had been received.
Under Nigerian law, the House must formally present the allegations to the deputy governor. If the lawmakers later approve the motion, the state chief judge may be asked to set up a panel to investigate the claims.
At the time of reporting, the deputy governor had not responded publicly to the allegations.
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