Bauchi Assembly orders Shari’ah commission to investigate gay, lesbian allegations

The Bauchi State House of Assembly has directed the State Shari’ah Commission to expedite its investigation into allegations of a suspected meeting involving gays and lesbians in Bauchi.

The directive followed claims made by an Islamic scholar from Kano, Dr Abdallah Usman Gadon-Kaya, in a viral social media video.

In the unverified video which circulated on social media last week, the cleric claimed that gays and lesbians from across Northern Nigeria gathered at a facility in Bauchi for a 10-day orientation.

Although, Dr Gadon-Kaya did not specify the exact date and location of the alleged event, he maintained that he is ready to provide evidence of the purported meeting.

But in a motion moved under matters of urgent public importance during Wednesday’s plenary, member representing the Chinade/Madara constituency, Dr Nasiru Ahmed Ala, stated that there is the need for the state Shari’a Commission to invite the Islamic scholar, to provide evidence of the claim to ensure that Shari’a laws are applied against those involved in the act.

In his ruling, the speaker of the Assembly, Abubakar Sulaiman said the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended has given the house the power to direct and invite any person to appear before it for investigation and explanations on any issue of national interest or claim.