Sahara Reporters has taken to it’s official X handle and announced that the Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, is under intensifying fire as damning allegations of corruption, nepotism, land racketeering, and blatant abuse of public trust continue to mount against his administration. Accusations range from abandoned multi-million-naira projects to the unlawful allocation of government property to family members and political cronies.
Investigations by SaharaReporters reveal a troubling pattern of misgovernance and impunity, with sources pointing fingers directly at the Governor’s inner circle — particularly his wife and son — as major beneficiaries of shady deals involving state-owned assets.
One of the most controversial revelations involves the allocation of a massive two-storey building, spanning over 5,000 square meters, to Governor Mohammed’s wife. The property, located within the former NITEL Zonal Office along Gombe Road, has reportedly been converted for private use — a move widely condemned as an egregious abuse of office.
In another scandalous twist, a large expanse of land near the Bauchi Central Market, traditionally occupied by hundreds of low-income families, was seized by the state government. Residents were forcefully evicted without due process or fair compensation. The land has since been handed over to a private company allegedly tied to the Governor’s son, Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed, under suspicious circumstances that have triggered public outrage and calls for investigation.
The construction firm in question was also awarded a major contract to construct a strategic road corridor from the Yalwa Filling Station junction through Gidan Gona (the former airport) to the Wikki Oil roundabout. Four years later, the project remains abandoned — leaving behind a trail of broken promises and a community grappling with decaying infrastructure.
Further reports allege that the same company, under the Governor’s influence, is illegally selling plots of land within the defunct Bauchi airport premises, raising red flags over the privatization of public assets without transparency, documentation, or community consent.
As criticism intensifies, more skeletons have continued to tumble out of the government’s closet. A streetlight contract covering the Government House vicinity has also come under scrutiny, with allegations that the firm responsible is owned by the Governor’s brother. Notably, streetlights are frequently switched off after 11 PM, raising serious questions about public safety, accountability, and the legitimacy of the contract.
Meanwhile, in Gamawa, Darazo, and Toro Local Government Areas, residents are decrying the seizure of communal farmlands. These lands, essential for agricultural sustainability and local livelihoods, are reportedly being secretly allocated to political loyalists, disenfranchising vulnerable communities and escalating tensions in rural areas.
Adding fuel to the fire is the disturbing case of Dr. Abubakar Ahmad, a lecturer at the Federal College of Horticulture in Gombe State. He is currently languishing in detention after he posted a harmless video of Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed dancing with his wife. This seemingly innocuous post triggered a swift and severe response from the Governor’s son, who filed a direct criminal complaint for defamation, injurious falsehood, and criminal intimidation under the Bauchi State Penal Code Law (2022).
Dr. Ahmad, who voluntarily honored a police invitation, was arrested and has remained in prison for over two weeks. His health has reportedly deteriorated significantly, sparking outrage from rights activists and civil society groups over Nigeria’s worsening trend of political repression through the misuse of legal and security institutions.
Human rights advocate Omoyele Sowore has waded into the controversy, accusing Shamsuddeen of operating over 50 bank accounts allegedly used to launder public funds. Sowore further claimed that the Governor’s son is preparing to “buy” a senatorial seat using stolen state funds, with the aim of entrenching the family’s political dynasty in Bauchi.
Sowore wrote:
> “Shamsuddeen Bala Mohammed opened up to 50 bank accounts to launder money from Bauchi State on behalf of his father and corporate fronts and his mother. He now wants to use those stolen funds to oppress our brother, Dr. Abubakar Ahmad, and secure a senatorial position to continue robbing the state.”
In reaction to the exposé, Shamsuddeen disabled the comment section of his Facebook page, which has over 45,000 followers — a move widely seen as an attempt to dodge public scrutiny.
Amid growing unrest, residents, civil society organizations, and anti-corruption advocates are demanding swift intervention by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and investigative journalists to unearth the depth of rot within the Bauchi State Government.
“There must be accountability. Public property is not family inheritance,” said a resident in Bauchi. “We are tired of impunity, and if we let this slide, the suffering of ordinary people will only deepen.”
As the scandal unfolds, the people of Bauchi — betrayed, silenced, and displaced — are crying for justice, transparency, and a government that prioritizes service over self-enrichment. The spotlight is now firmly fixed on Governor Bala Mohammed and his administration. Whether he will answer these allegations or continue to govern under a cloud of controversy remains to be seen.
PIONEER NEWS 