Top northern monarch suspended ‘for interference in mining operations’

Bauchi state Governor, Bala Mohammed, has suspended the Emir of Lame in Toro Local Government Area, Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Lame, over allegations of misconduct, together with illegal interference in land administration and mining operations.

The governor additionally accepted the structure of a 12-member administrative panel of inquiry to research the allegations towards the normal ruler and submit its findings and suggestions inside three weeks.

Allegations towards the Emir

The state authorities mentioned the choice adopted a number of formal petitions and intelligence studies acquired from group leaders, stakeholders and safety businesses regarding the Emir’s alleged abuse of workplace and arbitrary train of authority.

The allegations embrace illegal interference in land administration, unauthorised assortment of levies, undue interference within the operations of mining corporations and different acts thought of inconsistent with the tasks of a standard ruler.

According to the federal government, the alleged actions had reportedly generated rigidity inside the Lame Emirate, elevating issues about public peace, safety and harmonious coexistence within the space.

In an announcement issued on Friday, the governor’s spokesperson, Mukhtar Gidado, mentioned the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs had formally requested explanations from the Emir according to the rules of pure justice, equity and the precise to a good listening to.

Gidado defined that though the Emir submitted written responses, the federal government thought of the reasons unsatisfactory, making a complete and unbiased administrative investigation essential.

He, nevertheless, emphasised that the allegations remained topic to investigation and that the normal ruler could be given a chance to reply to all of the claims towards him in accordance with due course of.

12-member panel constituted

The assertion mentioned Governor Mohammed exercised the powers conferred on him by the Bauchi State Chieftaincy (Appointment and Deposition) Law 2026 in approving the structure of the 12-member panel.

The panel is chaired by retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Sani Mohammed, and contains retired Director of the Department of State Services, Musa Mohammed Yankari.

Other members are representatives of the Commissioner of Police, Director of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Environment and Ministry of Natural Resources Development.

The panel additionally has representatives of the Chairman of Toro Local Government Area, Local Government Service Commission and the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs within the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The Director of Administration and Human Resources within the ministry will function the panel’s secretary.

The committee is predicted to look at related petitions, paperwork and proof, invite involved events and provides the Emir a chance to defend himself earlier than submitting its report and suggestions to the state authorities inside three weeks.

Suspension takes quick impact

The authorities introduced the quick suspension of the Emir pending the conclusion of the executive investigation.

It described the suspension as a precautionary administrative measure geared toward defending the integrity of the inquiry, stopping potential interference with witnesses and official Emirate data, and decreasing tensions inside the group.

During the interval, the Emir has been directed to stay inside the Lame Emirate until expressly authorised to journey exterior by the suitable authority.

He has additionally been prohibited from interfering within the administrative, conventional and different official affairs of the Lame Emirate Council.

Meanwhile, the Senior Councillor of the Lame Emirate Council, Alhaji Bala Abubakar Gumau, popularly generally known as the Galadiman Lame, has been directed to supervise the day-to-day administrative affairs of the emirate in an interim capability.

The association will stay in place pending the conclusion of the investigation and additional directives from the state authorities.

The authorities appealed to residents of the Lame Emirate, group leaders, conventional titleholders, youths and different stakeholders to stay calm, peaceable and law-abiding all through the investigation.

It additionally urged residents to cooperate with safety businesses and the executive panel, reaffirming its dedication to upholding the dignity, integrity and accountability of conventional establishments throughout Bauchi State.

Recall that Governor Mohammed, on October 25, 2025, offered an appointment letter to Alhaji Aliyu Yakubu Lame, confirming him as the primary Second Class Emir of Lame following the creation of 13 extra emirates in Bauchi State.