Following the refusal of the Kano State Deputy Governor, Amin Abdulsalam Gwarzo, to defect with his boss, Governor Yusuf from the New Nigeria Peoples Party to the All Progressives Congress, the Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday began an impeachment proceeding against him.
The Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini Dala read out the notice during Thursday’s plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Jibrin Falgore.
He said 38 members have signed the proceedings, adding that the move followed allegations of gross misconduct against the Deputy Governor.
He said formal notice by the Kano State House of Assembly is in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999.
According to him, “This article of impeachment, is a formal notice by the Kano State House of Assembly in compliance with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended against Aminu Abdussalam, contained herein allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust arising from his actions when he oversees the Ministry for Local Government as Commissioner between 2023 and 2024, and while serving as Deputy Governor of Kano State, all of which are impeachable offenses.
“The following counts outline the specific allegations and the form of basis for the call for impeachment and removal from office. Count one, breach of public trust.It is alleged that His Excellency Aminu Abdussalam, while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and entrusted with the general control and administration of 44 local government areas of the state, willfully participated in the diversion of funds allocated to local government administrations for purposes other than those for which they were appropriated. Thus, between the period of June 2023 to January 2024, did receive in return a kickback of aggregate sum of N1,500,000 million from each of the 44 local government, making N66 million monthly for seven months, totaling the sum of 462 million naira for personal or improper benefit. This, therefore, constitutes a breach of public trust, undermining the integrity of the office and eroding confidence in public governance. Such conduct violates the principles of accountability and transparency expected of a public officer in the calibre of a deputy governor under the constitution.
“Count number two, breach of public trust. It is also alleged that His Excellency Aminu Abdussalam, while serving as Commissioner for Local Government and entrusted with the general control and administration of 44 local government areas of the state, willfully participated in the diversion of funds allocated to local government administrations for purposes other than those for which they were appropriated. Thus, between the period of February 2024 to July 2024, did receive a cash return under the guise of executing certain special assignments, the aggregate sum of N3,255,000 million from each month, totaling the sum of N726 million for personal or improper benefit. This, therefore, constitutes a breach of public trust, undermining the integrity of the office and eroding confidence in public governance. Such conduct violates the principles of accountability and transparency expected of a public officer in the calibre of a deputy governor under the constitution.
“Count number three, abuse of office. Aminu Abdussalam is further alleged to have abused his office by using his position as Commissioner for Local Government to facilitate the release of personal or improper benefit with intent to confer a new advantage for the reason of N10 million by each of the 44 local government councils of the state, totaling N440 million to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited in contravention of the Financial Procurement Law of Kano State, Kano State Fiscal Management Law and other extended rules and regulations. This misuse of official capacity is a direct contravention of the obligations of public office and constitutes an abuse of power as contemplated under section 182 sub 2 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Count four, gross misconduct. The action described above taking collectively amount to gross misconduct within the meeting within the meaning and completion of section 188 sub 2 of the constitution. Gross misconduct is defined as a grave violation or breach of prohibition of the constitution or other serious wrongdoing. The diversion of local government funds and abuse of office by the deputy governor represent a fundamental disregard for constitutional norms and the ethics standards required for public officials.
“Resolutions are, with the under-assigned members, in light of the foregoing, His excellency, Aminu Abdussalam, the deputy governor of Kano State, be impeached and removed from office in accordance with the procedure set out in section 188 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The signatories, we are 38 members signed this document. We wish your approval that you will hand it to the person whom this notice is concerned. That’s the deputy governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam,” Dala said.
The Speaker, Falgore approved that the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo be served with the notice.
However, it was also gathered that the Deputy Governor is given two weeks to defend himself of the allegations.
