The Federal High Court in Kano has declined an ex parte application filed by the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam, seeking to stop impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the State House of Assembly.
Papers News reports that Abdussalam had approached the court through his counsel, Umar Danbaito, requesting an interim injunction to halt the impeachment process triggered by allegations of corruption against him.
In the application, the deputy governor urged the court to suspend all actions relating to the impeachment proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
He asked the court to restrain the Kano State House of Assembly from continuing with the process.
Delivering his ruling, Justice M. Shaibu refused to grant the interim injunction sought by the deputy governor.
The judge held that the applicant failed to satisfy the legal conditions required for the granting of an interim order through an ex parte motion.
While declining to halt the proceedings, the court directed the applicant to serve the respondents with the relevant court documents to enable them to respond.
The case was subsequently adjourned until April 16, 2026, for further hearing.
The Kano State House of Assembly had earlier announced on March 5 that it served an impeachment notice on Abdussalam.
The deputy governor, a member of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), had declined to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Abba Yusuf and other officials in January.
The Assembly said the impeachment proceedings were initiated over allegations of gross misconduct, abuse of office and breach of public trust.
The action followed a petition submitted by the executive arm of government, accusing Abdussalam of financial irregularities during his tenure as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024.
Lawmakers stated that the impeachment notice was issued in line with Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the petition, the deputy governor allegedly diverted funds meant for local government administrations for personal gain.
Lawmakers alleged that between June 2023 and January 2024, he received kickbacks amounting to N462 million over seven months.
They also claimed that from February to July 2024, Abdussalam received N726 million from local government councils under the guise of executing special assignments.
In another allegation, the deputy governor was accused of facilitating the improper release of N440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited in violation of public procurement laws and fiscal regulations.
The Assembly maintained that the alleged actions constitute gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the Constitution.
The lawmakers said Abdussalam had been given a 14-day window to present his defence to the allegations.
They added that if the claims are proven, the Assembly would proceed with his removal from office in accordance with constitutional procedures.
