A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday declined an application by the Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, seeking to stop his ongoing impeachment process.
The application, filed through his counsel, Barrister Umar Danbaito, prayed the court to grant an interim injunction restraining the Kano State House of Assembly from proceeding with the impeachment pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Ruling on the ex parte motion, Justice S. M. Shaibu held that the applicant failed to satisfy the requirements for the grant of such interim relief.
The judge, however, directed the applicant to serve the respondents with the court processes to enable them respond appropriately, and adjourned the matter to April 16, 2026.
The development follows a notice of impeachment earlier issued to Gwarzo by the Kano State House of Assembly over allegations of financial impropriety and abuse of office, giving him two weeks to defend himself.
The notice was reportedly endorsed by 38 lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and two members of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), and was moved by the Majority Leader of the House, Lawan Husaini, representing Dala constituency.
According to the lawmakers, the action was in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which outlines the procedure for the removal of a deputy governor.
The Assembly alleged that Gwarzo received kickbacks from the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024.
The notice claimed that he collected about N1.5 million monthly from each council, amounting to approximately N66 million per month and a total of N462 million within seven months.
It further alleged that between February and July 2024, the deputy governor received an additional N726 million under the guise of executing special assignments for the councils.
The lawmakers also accused him of abusing his office by allegedly facilitating the release of N440 million from the councils to a private firm, Novomed Pharmaceuticals Limited, in violation of procurement and fiscal regulations.