The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has refused to stop the impeachment process against the Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdussalam.
The court turned down his request for an urgent order to halt the action initiated by the State House of Assembly.
Abdussalam had approached the court through his lawyer, Umar Danbaito. He filed an ex parte application asking for an interim injunction. The request was to suspend every step taken by the Assembly pending the hearing of the main suit.
He specifically urged the court to restrain lawmakers from continuing with the impeachment process. He argued that the move against him should not proceed until the court determines the legality of the case before it.
However, in his ruling, Justice M. Shaibu declined the request. The judge held that the deputy governor did not meet the legal requirements needed for such an urgent order.
The court made it clear that an ex parte application must meet strict conditions. According to the judge, those conditions were not satisfied in this case.
Justice Shaibu also directed the applicant to put the respondents on notice. He ordered that all court documents be served on the parties involved to allow them respond properly.
The matter was then adjourned to April 16, 2026, for further hearing.
The impeachment move against Abdussalam began earlier this month. On March 5, the Kano State House of Assembly confirmed that it had served him with a notice of impeachment.
The deputy governor, who belongs to the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), has been at the centre of political tension in the state. This followed his decision not to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Abba Yusuf and other top officials in January.
Lawmakers said the action against him is based on serious allegations. These include gross misconduct, abuse of office, and breach of public trust.
The Assembly explained that the process was triggered by a petition from the executive arm of government. The petition accused Abdussalam of financial misconduct during his time as Commissioner for Local Government Affairs between 2023 and 2024.
According to the lawmakers, the allegations involve large sums of money. They claimed that between June 2023 and January 2024, the deputy governor received kickbacks totaling N462 million within seven months.
They further alleged that from February to July 2024, he collected another N726 million from local government councils. The funds were reportedly taken under the guise of executing special assignments.
In another claim, Abdussalam was accused of approving the release of N440 million to North Med Pharmaceutical Limited. The Assembly said the payment violated public procurement laws and established fiscal procedures.
The lawmakers insisted that the allegations amount to gross misconduct under Section 188(2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
They added that the deputy governor has been given 14 days to respond to the claims. The Assembly noted that if the allegations are proven, it will proceed with his removal in line with constitutional provisions.
