A government press release Thursday stated that the paramount chief of Biriwa chiefdom, Bombali district has been suspended.

Paramount chief Alhaji Dr. Mohamed Madesiri Sheriff II was suspended as a result of the outcome of an inquiry setup by the minister of internal affairs, local government and rural development Dauda Kamara to address the alleged violation of the provision on the crowing of chief Sheriff without the participation of national electoral commission.

"Petitions from residents of Biriwa chiefdom insisted that former government imposed the paramount chief on them and such imposition threatened law and order within the Biriwa chiefdom," the release stated adding that the inquiry was presided over by the provincial secretary northern region adding that it was recommended by the committee that process leading to the election of the chief be reviewed.

"Government adopted the presentation of the ministry of local government and rural development but government has also emphasized that since the matter had gone to the supreme court earlier and that since there is a court ruling relating to the chieftaincy of Biriwa chiefdom, and since government is committed to the Rule of Law, a judicial commission of inquiry should be setup for the purposes of thoroughly investigating the Biriwa chieftaincy within the realm of the law."