The Federal High Court in Kano has struck out a suit filed by the immediate past Deputy Governor of Kano State, Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo, seeking to halt impeachment proceedings initiated against him by the Kano State House of Assembly.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that Justice S.M. Shuaibu struck out the case on Thursday following the withdrawal of the suit by the applicant.
Gwarzo’s counsel, Umar Danbaito, informed the court that his client had decided to discontinue the case.
The move effectively ended the legal challenge aimed at stopping the lawmakers from proceeding with the impeachment process.
The former deputy governor had approached the court on March 25, seeking an order restraining the Assembly from continuing with the impeachment proceedings, which commenced on March 5.
However, the court had earlier declined to grant an interim injunction to halt the process.
Instead, Justice Shuaibu directed that the Assembly be put on notice to justify why such relief should not be granted and adjourned the matter to April 16.
The impeachment move against Gwarzo is believed to be linked to ongoing political realignments in the state.
Sources who spoke with Sahara Reporters suggest the development may be connected to his reported refusal to defect from the New Nigeria People’s Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) alongside Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Meanwhile, the Kano State House of Assembly said the impeachment notice, endorsed by 38 lawmakers, followed due constitutional process.
The Assembly cited provisions of Section 188 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the basis for its action.
Gwarzo is facing allegations of receiving kickbacks from the 44 local government councils in the state between June 2023 and January 2024.
The development marks a new twist in the unfolding political situation in Kano State.