In 1983, he began his career in the Sokoto state civil service as an economic planning officer in the Ministry of Finance.
This was greeted with enthusiasm by the state's Muslim majority; thousands of people gathered on the streets of Gusau cheered and shouted "God is great".
[7] The introduction of Sharia in Zamfara was challenged in the courts by Huri-Laws, a Nigerian human rights NGO, and by a Christian citizen from the state.
The Zamfara State High Court dismissed both cases, ruling that the statute did not infringe upon the rights of either claimant.
Yarima was elected Senator representing Zamfara West constituency for the All Nigeria People's Party in April 2007.
He was appointed to committees on Selection, Federal Character & Inter-Government Affairs, Drugs and Narcotics, Anti Corruption and Agriculture.
[10] However, under Article 61 Second Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution,[11] the Nigerian Government has no power to legislate on “marriages under Islamic law and Customary law including matrimonial causes relating thereto”, meaning that Senator Yerima had no legal case to answer and the investigation was dropped.