JUST IN: Kano Lawmakers Move to Impeach Deputy Governor Gwarzo Over Alleged Funds Misuse

The Kano State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against the state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, following allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust linked to the handling of public funds.

The move was formally introduced during plenary by the Majority Leader, Lawan Hussaini Dala, who told lawmakers that the action was taken in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

According to the majority leader, the allegations stem from Gwarzo’s tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024, as well as actions tied to his current role as deputy governor.

Dala alleged that while overseeing the local government ministry, the deputy governor was involved in the diversion of funds meant for the administration of the state’s 44 local government councils. He told the Assembly that from June 2023 to January 2024, Gwarzo allegedly received a monthly payment of ₦1.5 million from each of the councils as kickbacks.

The arrangement, lawmakers were told, translated to about ₦66 million every month and a cumulative ₦462 million over a seven-month period.

Further allegations claim that between February and July 2024, additional payments were made to the deputy governor under the guise of special assignments. These payments were said to total ₦3.255 million monthly from each council, amounting to approximately ₦726 million within six months.

Dala argued that the alleged transactions represented a serious breach of public trust and undermined the standards of transparency and accountability expected from public officials.

The impeachment notice also accuses the deputy governor of abuse of office. The Assembly was informed that he allegedly used his position to facilitate payments of ₦10 million each from the 44 councils to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited.

Lawmakers were told that the payments, said to total about ₦440 million, were executed in violation of the state’s procurement and fiscal regulations.

“The misuse of official capacity to confer undue advantage constitutes abuse of power and is contrary to the obligations of public office,” the majority leader said while presenting the notice.

Dala further disclosed that the impeachment motion had been endorsed by 38 lawmakers, surpassing the constitutional threshold required to initiate the process. He urged the Speaker to formally transmit the allegations to the deputy governor in line with constitutional provisions.

With the notice now acknowledged by the Assembly leadership, the next step may involve requesting the state’s Chief Judge to constitute an investigative panel to examine the claims, provided the motion secures the necessary legislative backing.

As of the time the proceedings were reported, the deputy governor had not issued any public response to the allegations.