Kano Judicial Commission sanctions 8 staff, recalls 2 Judges
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sanctioned eight judiciary staff members for misconduct.
According to a statement issued on Sunday in Kano by the Judiciary Spokesperson, Mr. Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, the disciplinary actions were taken following petitions reviewed during the JSC’s 76th meeting, held on November 4. As a result, two court registrars were ordered to retire compulsorily.
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sanctioned several judicial officers following investigations into their conduct. The individuals sanctioned include Magistrates Nasir Ado, Alkali Yusuf Kawu, Sanusi Usman-Atana, and Finance Registrar Salisu Adamu-Nayola, as well as Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi, Court Messenger Shuaibu Bello, and Court Registrar Shamsu Abbas.
The commission’s investigation, conducted by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), focused on two petitions filed against Magistrate Nasir Ado.
The inquiry revealed that Ado had conducted proceedings without a record and, when questioned, falsified and tampered with the records to create the appearance that the proceedings had been properly documented. Based on the JPCC’s findings, the commission determined that Ado’s actions constituted gross misconduct, leading to his recall from judicial duties.
In another case, the JSC examined a complaint filed by the Association of Fighting Criminals against Sharia Court Judge Yusuf Kawu. The complaint alleged that Kawu used his judicial position to release a convict who had been sentenced to one year in prison without the option of a fine, a decision the association argued was unlawful.
After reviewing the matter, the commission found Kawu’s actions to be in violation of legal standards, and his defense was deemed untenable. As a result, Kawu has been indefinitely removed from judicial duties.
He stated that the commission also issued a warning to Magistrate Sanusi Atana following two petitions against him. The petitions revealed that Atana had overstepped his jurisdiction by assuming the role of property recovery in a criminal trial and granting bail to a suspect before the scheduled ruling date, without informing the prosecution.
“The commission cautioned Atana to refrain from exceeding his jurisdiction and to uphold the principles of fairness,” he added.
Additionally, the JSC ordered the compulsory retirement of Salisu Adamu Nayola, the Finance Registrar of the Kiru Sharia Court, after a JPCC investigation confirmed he had accepted bribes in exchange for processing inheritance claims.
Nayola reportedly worked in collaboration with Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, who has also been recalled from judicial duties for two years and placed under the supervision of the Chief Registrar.
The JSC issued a stern warning to Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi of the Takai Sharia Court in Kano for handling cases related to Sabo Garba Housing Estate, Kabuga, and Dorayi Kwanar Makabarta, which were outside his jurisdiction. The commission advised him to strictly adhere to his territorial boundaries and refrain from taking on cases beyond his jurisdiction.
The commission also acted on a petition against Shuaibu Bello, a court messenger, after a JPCC investigation revealed he engaged in corrupt practices by charging amounts exceeding the official fees for opening a file. The investigation further found that Bello had acted in a manner unbecoming of his position, being rude and disrespectful to a court user, and deceiving a petitioner into signing a letter withdrawing the petition.
The commission endorsed the JPCC’s recommendation to suspend Bello for four months without pay.
Additionally, the JSC imposed compulsory retirement on Shamsu Abbas, a court registrar, for improperly releasing a suspect on bail before the case had been officially assigned to any court. Abbas also made financial restitution demands beyond his official duties.
The Judicial Service Commission reiterated its commitment to ensuring that all judicial personnel adhere to the law and respect judicial processes. The commission emphasized that it would continue to enforce appropriate sanctions against any staff members who violate their duties, particularly those in judicial positions. These actions are aimed at safeguarding the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintaining public confidence.
Proofreading by Uchechi Ojo, Sub-editor at NeptunePrime.
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