BAUCHI — Hon. Adamu Usman Bamaraya, former Deputy Chairman of Shira Local Government Area, has filed a lawsuit demanding his reinstatement, cancellation of the May 24 by-election, and compensation over what he described as an unlawful removal from office.
Speaking to journalists on Saturday, Bamaraya said he was never invited to appear before any panel or tribunal to defend himself, in violation of Section 20(7) of the Local Government Law and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.
He claimed to have first learned of his removal through a Facebook post titled “Resolution to remove the Chairman of Shira Local Government Council (Hon. Abdullahi Ibrahim Beli) and Deputy Chairman (Hon. Adamu Usman) from office,” signed by a local councillor.
Bamaraya said he resisted pressure from political stakeholders to resign and was subsequently arrested by the Divisional Police Officer in Shira. He spent seven days in detention without trial at a correctional centre before securing bail.
He later learned of a scheduled by-election on May 24 to fill both the chairman and deputy chairman positions. In response, he filed a legal suit to halt the planned election, seek reinstatement, and demand redress for what he called unjust treatment.
The suit names the Shira Local Government Council, Bauchi State House of Assembly, the Bauchi State Independent Electoral Commission (BASIEC), and all Shira LGA councillors as defendants.
The removal of Bamaraya and Chairman Abdullahi Ibrahim Beli was announced on March 3, 2025, by the Shira Legislative Council, citing allegations of gross misconduct, financial mismanagement, dereliction of duty, and abuse of office.
BASIEC Chairman Ahmed Makama confirmed that the commission received an official communication declaring vacancies in the two positions. He stated that, under the Bauchi State Electoral Law of 2008, the commission is required to conduct by-elections within 14 days of such notice.
Makama said BASIEC is proceeding with the May 24 by-election in line with its legal mandate. The court is expected to determine the legality of the removal and scheduled election in the coming days.
