Adamu Usman Bamaraya, the former deputy chairman of Shira Local Government Council in Bauchi, has dragged the Bauchi State House of Assembly and the State Independent Electoral Commission to court, challenging his impeachment.
Named as co-defendants in the case, which is before the Bauchi State High Court, are members of the Legislative Council of Shira Local Government.
The plaintiff told journalists in Bauchi that he was only notified via a Facebook post, which contained a document headlined, “Resolution to remove the Chairman of Shira Local Government Council (Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Beli) and Deputy Chairman (Hon. Adamu Usman) from office,” and signed by Councillor Abdullahi Wada, representing Andubun Ward.
He stated that he received no summons to appear before any investigative panel, committee, or tribunal. He further claimed that he was not allowed to defend himself against any accusations, as required by Section 20 (7) of the Local Government Law and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution.
Hon. Bamaraya revealed that after the removal of the Council’s former Chairman, he was also requested to resign from his position by the stakeholders of Shira LGA.
Furthermore, Bamaraya claimed he resisted the stakeholders’ efforts to force his resignation. Subsequently, he was arrested by the Shira Divisional Police Officer (DPO) and detained in a Correctional Centre for a week without any formal charges or trial.
He also disclosed that he learned later of a scheduled by-election set for May 24, 2025, aimed at filling the chairman and deputy chairman roles.
He has requested the court to reinstate him as Deputy Chairman and to punish those responsible for his arrest and incarceration.
Recall that on March 3, 2025, Shira councillors ousted both Chairman Hon. Beli and his Deputy, Hon. Bamaraya, based on allegations of serious misconduct, financial mismanagement, dereliction of duties, and abuse of office.
Consequently, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC) has scheduled by-elections for May 24, 2025, to fill the vacancies.
According to Ahmed Makama, Chairman of BASIEC, the commission received formal notification of the vacancies, triggering its legal duty to hold elections within 14 days.
“We received communication informing us of vacancies in the offices of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman in Shira Local Government. Our mandate as a commission necessitates the conduct of an election to fill these vacancies,” Makama stated.
He also pointed out that the Bauchi State Electoral Law (2008) mandates that by-elections must be conducted within 14 days following the official declaration of a vacancy.
