Bauchi Assembly Directs Shari’ah Commission To Investigate Alleged Gay And Lesbian Gathering

This directive comes in response to claims made by a Kano-based Islamic scholar, Dr. Abdallah Usman Gadon-Kaya, in a viral video. In the video, the scholar alleged that gays and lesbians from across Northern Nigeria had gathered in Bauchi to promote activities that he said go against the teachings of both Islam and Christianity.

During a plenary session on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, a motion was moved by Dr. Nasiru Ahmed Ala, a representative of the Chinade/Madara constituency, under matters of urgent public importance. Dr. Ala emphasized the need for the Shari’ah Commission to summon Dr. Abdallah Gadon-Kaya to provide evidence of his claims, ensuring that Shari’ah laws are enforced against those involved.

Speaker Abubakar Sulaiman, in his ruling, noted that the amended 1999 constitution of Nigeria grants the assembly the authority to summon individuals for investigations on matters of public concern.

The Bauchi Shari’ah Commission had previously invited Dr. Gadon-Kaya to clarify his allegations about the supposed LGBTQ gathering. However, there has been no further communication from the commission since the invitation was sent.