Haruna Sani
The Bauchi State Government has suspended the Emir of Lame in Toro Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Lame, with immediate effect over allegations of misconduct.
The government also constituted a 12-member Administrative Panel of Inquiry to investigate the allegations against the traditional ruler.
The decision, approved by Governor Bala Mohammed, followed the receipt of several formal petitions and intelligence reports from community leaders, stakeholders and security agencies over alleged abuse of office, arbitrary exercise of authority and other conduct considered inconsistent with the responsibilities of a traditional ruler.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mukhtar Gidado, said the allegations included unlawful interference in land administration, unauthorised collection of levies, interference in the operations of mining companies and other acts of alleged misconduct.
According to the government, the developments have reportedly heightened tensions within the Lame Emirate, raising concerns about their potential implications for public peace, security and peaceful coexistence in the area.
The government said the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had earlier formally requested explanations from the Emir in accordance with the principles of natural justice and his right to a fair hearing.
Although the traditional ruler submitted written responses, the government said it considered the explanations unsatisfactory, necessitating an independent administrative investigation to establish the facts and make appropriate recommendations.
It stressed, however, that the allegations remain subject to investigation and that the Emir would be given a fair opportunity to respond to all the claims against him in line with due process.
The panel, chaired by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sani Mohammed, has been mandated to conduct a thorough, impartial and independent investigation into the allegations.
Its terms of reference include examining relevant petitions, documents and other evidence, inviting concerned parties, providing the Emir an opportunity to defend himself, and submitting its findings and recommendations to the state government within three weeks.
Other members of the panel include retired Director of the Department of State Services, Musa Mohammed Yankari; representatives of the Commissioner of Police, the State Security Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Representatives of the Ministries of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Development, as well as the Chairman of Toro Local Government Area and the Local Government Service Commission, are also members.
The Director of Chieftaincy Affairs in the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs will serve as a member, while the ministry’s Director of Administration and Human Resources will serve as secretary.
The government explained that the suspension was a precautionary administrative measure aimed at protecting the integrity of the investigation, preventing possible interference with witnesses and official Emirate records, and reducing tensions within the community.
It said the action was taken under the powers vested in the governor by the Bauchi State Chieftaincy (Appointment and Deposition) Law 2026, in the interest of peace, public order and good governance.
The suspension comes barely one year after Governor Mohammed appointed 13 new emirs and a chief for the newly created emirates and chiefdom in the state.
The appointments were made on October 23, 2025, two days after the governor signed the Chieftaincy Appointment and Deposition Law on October 21, 2025, paving the way for the creation of 13 new emirates.
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