Eight judiciary staff members were sanctioned for various acts of misconduct by Kano State Judicial Service Commission, reinforcing its commitment to upholding judicial integrity and accountability. This action was confirmed through a statement by Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, detailing the outcomes of investigations conducted by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) and subsequent disciplinary measures taken during the Commission’s 76th meeting held on November 4, 2024.
Among those disciplined, two court registrars faced compulsory retirement following serious violations. Magistrate Nasir Ado was removed from judicial duties after an investigation revealed he had falsified court records. The JPCC found that Mr. Ado had conducted proceedings without an official record, later tampering with records to falsely show that a proceeding had been documented. Such tampering was deemed gross misconduct, resulting in his immediate recall.
In a separate case, Sharia Court Judge Yusuf Kawu was indefinitely recalled after allegedly using his judicial position to unlawfully release a convict sentenced to one year in prison. The Commission reviewed a petition filed by the Association of Fighting Criminals, concluding that Judge Kawu’s actions were both unlawful and indefensible.
Magistrate Sanusi Usman-Atana received an official caution after complaints revealed he had overstepped his jurisdiction by assuming control over a premises recovery case and granting bail to a suspect prematurely, without notifying the prosecution. The Commission advised Atana to exercise caution and respect his jurisdictional limits to ensure fairness in judicial proceedings.
Additionally, the finance registrar of Kiru Sharia Court, Salisu Adamu Nayola, was also ordered into compulsory retirement after being found guilty of accepting bribes to expedite inheritance claims. His alleged accomplice, Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, faced a two-year recall from judicial duties and was placed under strict supervision.
Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi, a Sharia court judge, received a stern warning after handling cases beyond his assigned territorial jurisdiction. The Commission emphasized the importance of adhering to established jurisdictional boundaries, advising Abdullahi to avoid processing cases outside his jurisdiction in the future.
Further disciplinary action was taken against court messenger Shuaibu Bello, who received a four-month suspension without pay. Bello was found guilty of collecting unauthorized fees for file openings and demonstrated unprofessional behavior towards a court user. He reportedly deceived the petitioner into withdrawing a complaint, actions which the JPCC deemed highly inappropriate.
Finally, court registrar Shamsu Abbas was also compelled to retire for improperly granting bail to a suspect without formal case assignment. The Judicial Service Commission emphasized its dedication to preserving legal standards, stressing that judiciary personnel must execute their duties within legal boundaries and uphold respect for judicial processes.
The disciplinary actions reflect the Commission's firm stance against misconduct within the judiciary and its commitment to maintaining public trust in Kano State’s judicial system.
