Aminu Abdussalam, the deputy governor of Kano State, submitted an ex parte appeal to halt the State House of Assembly’s impeachment proceedings against him, but the Federal High Court in Kano denied it.
According to Naija News, Abdussalam requested an interim injunction from the court through his attorney, Umar Danbaito, in order to stop the impeachment process that was started by accusations of corruption against him.
The deputy governor requested in the application that the court halt all impeachment-related measures until the originating summons is heard and decided.
He requested that the Kano State House of Assembly be prevented from carrying out the procedure by the court.
In his decision, Justice M. Shaibu denied the deputy governor’s request for an interim injunction.
The judge determined that the applicant did not meet the legal requirements necessary for an ex parte application to be granted an interim order.
The court ordered the applicant to serve the respondents with the pertinent court documents so they could reply, but it declined to stop the proceedings.
After upon, the case was postponed until April 16, 2026, in order to hold additional hearings.
On March 5, the Kano State House of Assembly declared that Abdussalam had received a notice of impeachment.
Along with Governor Abba Yusuf and other officials, the deputy governor, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had refused to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in January.
The Assembly stated that accusations of egregious misconduct, misuse of office, and violation of public confidence prompted the impeachment process.
The action came after the government’s executive branch filed a lawsuit accusing Abdussalam of financial violations while serving as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs from 2023 to 2024.
The impeachment notice was issued in accordance with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as modified), according to lawmakers.
The petition claims that the deputy governor embezzled money intended for local government administrations in order to benefit himself.
He allegedly got N462 million in payments over a seven-month period between June 2023 and January 2024.
Additionally, they asserted that Abdussalam collected N726 million from local government councils between February and July 2024 under the pretense of carrying out special assignments.
The deputy governor was also charged with facilitating the unlawful release of N440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited in contravention of fiscal norms and public procurement laws.
According to Section 188(2) of the Constitution, the Assembly argued that the alleged activities amounted to gross misconduct.
Abdussalam was given a 14-day opportunity, according to the MPs, to defend himself against the accusations.
They further stated that the Assembly would follow constitutional measures to remove him from office if the allegations are validated.
