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Exclusive: Inside Details Of How Zamfara Gov, Dauda Lawal Finances Gold Extraction, Settle Bandits From State Security Funds
Facts have emerged of how Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State misused security funds to finance his personal gold mining interests and pay off notorious bandits.
A leaked memo reveals that a substantial amount of money was approved to finance a reconciliation project, totalling over one billion Naira.
However, sources claim that the funds were used to settle bandits and finance gold extraction in a newly discovered large gold deposit.
The former Chairman of the Zamfara State Security Trust Fund, MD Abubakar, was sacked after he allegedly refused to comply with the governor’s scheme.
Abubakar had written a memo requesting funds to procure patrol vehicles and logistics for community protection guards, but was rejected by the governor.
Sources close to the matter reveal that Governor Lawal held a meeting with commissioners to increase the state budget to meet the demands of bandits and finance gold extraction.
According to the Gov’s media aide, Nuhu Salihu Anka, MD Abubakar has been spending the Security Trust Funds on irrelevant and unnecessary travels, including foreign trips without the governor’s approval.
But other sources claim that one billion naira was allegedly withdrawn from the ex-IGP’s office to settle some wanted bandits kingpins, in order to allow Governor Dauda Lawal to extract gold and settle some media promoters to divert Nigerian attention from the just concluded #Endbadgovernance protests, which resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of properties worth billions of Naira.
A source at the office of the former IGP (whose name was withheld) confirmed that he wrote a memo entitled: ‘Urgent Need to Use Trust Funds to Procure Patrol Vehicles and Other Logistics’ to support community protection guards amounting to N800, 000,000, which was also rejected by the governor, further infuriating the former IGP.
The source further said that another conflict arose between the governor and the former IGP emanating from a meeting the governor held with the Commissioners for local government and chieftaincy, that of Budget and planning, as well as finance, Alhaji Ahmed Yamdi, Abdulmalik Gajam, and Bello Auta respectively, as well as Prof Kabiru Mato, Barau, Modibbo, and the state Account General to increase the state budget to the tune of more than One billion Naira to meet the demand of some bandits to allow the governor to continue his gold extraction in a newly discovered large gold deposit in a forest near Dankurmi Under Maru Local government area of the State, and also finance some selected Media promoters to create significant divisions within the northern region.
Another revelation indicated that the former IGP was not happy with the way Governor Dauda not only declined the approval of his memo but also used the same memo for other missions with the Security Trust Funds Money without his knowledge.
It will be recalled that Governor Dauda Lawal has vowed to never negotiate with bandits, but unfortunately went back on his words and employed a controversial scheme by accepting the bandits’ demand to allow him to get access to the newly discovered large gold deposit sites in the State.
“I believe the dramatic sacking of the former IGP M.D Abubakar by Governor Dauda was connected to the disagreements between the former Police boss and Governor Dauda Lawal,” said the source who requested to remain unknown.
Further information gathered in the same scandal reveals that a hasty completion of Zamfara State Cargo airport by the government of Dauda Lawal was to bring in modern mining processing equipment from outside the country into the State, despite the banning of mining activities and declaring Zamfara as a “no-fly zone” State.
It will be recalled that the Zamfara state assembly refused to screen and confirm former IGP M.D Abubakar due to his bad records and mismanagement of public funds, which resulted in denying some house members their eight months salaries and allowances.
According to our reporter in Gusau, the members who protested against the appointment of M.D Abubakar alleged that the former police boss would not do the job but rather mismanage and divert public resources for his personal use.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed all four emirates in the state to begin preparations for the upcoming Sallah Durbar Celebration.
The governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, confirmed this in a statement, emphasizing that the event is a cherished tradition where citizens gather to witness Emirs on horseback and celebrate in grand style.
Tofa assured that security agencies will be fully engaged to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors during the festivities.
Governor Yusuf also praised the Emirs for maintaining a harmonious relationship since their appointments, describing it as unprecedented in Kano’s history.
Additionally, the Kano State Emirate Council is set to be inaugurated in April. The governor stated that its operational guidelines and ethics would be outlined on the inauguration day.
Impeached Governors in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic
Before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy Ngozi Nma Odu, and state lawmakers over the ongoing political crisis, there were already moves to impeach Fubara.
Had he been impeached, Fubara would have joined a list of Nigerian governors removed from office since the country’s return to democracy in 1999. Below is a list of impeached governors and the circumstances surrounding their removal:
1. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (Bayelsa State, 2005)
Alamieyeseigha was Bayelsa’s first civilian governor in the Fourth Republic, elected in 1999 and reelected in 2003. However, in 2005, he was impeached over allegations of corruption, including theft of public funds and money laundering. Two years later, he pleaded guilty to six charges and was sentenced to prison.
2. Rashidi Ladoja (Oyo State, 2006)
Ladoja governed Oyo State from 2003 until January 2006, when state lawmakers impeached him. Christopher Alao-Akala was sworn in as his replacement. However, Ladoja was reinstated in December 2006 after a court ruling nullified his removal. He later claimed his impeachment was due to his opposition to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s third-term bid.
3. Ayo Fayose (Ekiti State, 2006)
Fayose, elected in 2003, was impeached in 2006 alongside his deputy, Biodun Olujimi, over allegations of corruption, including embezzling funds meant for the state’s poultry project. Twenty-four out of 26 lawmakers voted for their removal. Although Fayose fled at the time, he later returned and contested again. The Supreme Court eventually ruled that his impeachment was unlawful.
4. Peter Obi (Anambra State, 2006)
Peter Obi, who later became the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, was impeached just six months into his tenure as Anambra governor. He claimed he was removed for refusing to inflate the state budget. He challenged his impeachment in court and won, returning to office in February 2007.
5. Joshua Dariye (Plateau State, 2006)
Dariye faced impeachment proceedings in October 2006 after being linked to money laundering. Only eight out of 24 lawmakers initially issued an impeachment notice, which he contested. However, the following month, he was removed, and his deputy, Michael Botmang, took over. The Supreme Court later reinstated him, but his tenure ended in 2007. That same year, the EFCC accused him of diverting N1 billion in state ecological funds.
6. Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State, 2014)
Nyako was removed in 2014 over allegations of misappropriating N17 billion, illegal salary deductions, and misusing local government funds. He and his deputy, Bala Ngilari, received impeachment notices in June 2014, and a month later, he was removed from office. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, the state’s house speaker at the time, was sworn in as acting governor.
These impeachments highlight the political turbulence that has shaped Nigeria’s democratic governance over the years.
The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, calling it “unconstitutional and reckless.”
In a statement on Wednesday via X, Obi accused Tinubu of undermining democracy and disregarding the rule of law. He described the move as a dangerous attempt to tighten control over the state.
“The declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is not just reckless—it is a clear attempt to return us to a state of nature and tighten its grip on power at all costs,” Obi stated.
He further argued that the political crisis in Rivers does not justify suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, and state lawmakers. Obi accused the federal government of selectively interpreting Section 305(1) of the 1999 Constitution to serve its own interests.
“A state of emergency does not mean an elected Governor can be removed unilaterally. This decision does not align with democratic norms or good governance. Instead, it appears to be a predetermined action serving specific interests rather than the collective good of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria,” he said.
Obi warned that the move could set a dangerous precedent that threatens democracy, the rule of law, and the separation of powers. He also linked it to previous electoral irregularities, stating that such actions would push Nigeria toward lawlessness and anarchy.
He urged the National Assembly and other stakeholders to reject the emergency declaration, emphasizing that allowing it to stand would deepen the culture of impunity and weaken democratic institutions.
Kano gov approves Sallah durbar preparations for emirates
Nigerian governors that have been impeached since 1999
