From Mustapha Adamu, Kano
The Kano State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment process against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam, following allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The move comes after a petition submitted to the House by the Executive, urging the legislature to act against the Deputy Governor over alleged irregularities during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024.
Reading the petition, Majority Leader Kawan Hussaini Dala stated that the impeachment notice complies with Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended).
The notice alleges that Abdulsalam engaged in activities amounting to impeachable offenses while overseeing the state’s 44 local government areas.
According to the petition, the allegations include breach of public trust where the embattled deputy governor is accused of “diverting funds meant for local government administrations for personal benefit.*
The petition added that ” between June 2023 and January 2024, he allegedly received kickbacks totaling ₦462 million over seven months.”
The petition also alleged diversion of funds and misuse of official capacity where he, from February 2024 to July 2024, xreportedly received ₦726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments”.
Contained in the petition was allegation of abuse of office where the governor accused the Abdulsalam of facilitating “the improper release of ₦440 million to Nover Med Pharmaceutical Limited, violating public procurement laws and state fiscal regulations.
The petitioner also accused the deputy governor of Gross Misconduct while in office, violating the provision of section 188(2) of the Constitution.
This, according to the petitioner, represents serious violations of constitutional norms and ethical standards for public office holders.
The resolution concluded that, based on the evidence presented, Abdulsalam should be impeached and removed from office in accordance with constitutional procedures.
PEOPLES DAILY reports that the petition was signed by eight members of the House.
The Deputy Governor is given two weeks to respond to the allegations contained in the petition.
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