Just in: Kano Assembly Moves to Impeach Deputy Governor Abdulsalam

The Kano State House of Assembly on Thursday initiated impeachment proceedings against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, over alleged gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.

The impeachment notice was read during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, after it was presented by the Majority Leader, Lawan Husseini Dala.

Reading the notice on the floor of the House, Dala said the action was taken in line with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which empowers a state legislature to commence impeachment proceedings against a deputy governor over allegations of gross misconduct.

The notice accused Abdulsalam of breaching public trust during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government between 2023 and 2024.

According to the lawmakers, the deputy governor allegedly received kickbacks of N1.5 million monthly from each of the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024, amounting to N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within the seven-month period.

The Assembly further alleged that between February and July 2024, Abdulsalam received additional cash returns of N3.255 million monthly from each local government council under the guise of executing special assignments, bringing the total amount allegedly received during the period to N726 million.

The notice also accused him of abusing his office by facilitating the release of N10 million from each of the 44 local government councils, totaling N440 million, to NovoMed Pharmaceuticals Limited, in alleged contravention of the Kano State Public Procurement Law and Fiscal Management regulations.

The lawmakers said the alleged actions amount to gross misconduct as defined under Section 188(2) of the constitution, describing the acts as a violation of constitutional provisions and ethical standards expected of public officials.

A total of 38 members of the Assembly reportedly appended their signatures to the impeachment notice.

Following its presentation, Speaker Falgore directed that a notice be formally served on the deputy governor in line with constitutional provisions governing impeachment procedures.