Kano judicial commission sanctions judges over ‘misconduct’

The Kano state Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has sanctioned eight members of the judiciary for alleged misconduct.

In a statement on Sunday, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, spokesperson of the commission, said petitions against the affected persons were considered on November 4 during JSC’s 76th meeting.

The officers were found guilty of forgery, receiving bribes, handling cases without jurisdiction, among others.

Nasir Ado, a magistrate, was found to have conducted court proceedings without keeping an official record. When grilled, he “falsified and altered the records” to make it appear as though the proceedings had been properly documented.

Ado was recalled from his duties as recommended by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC).

Yusuf Kawu, a sharia court judge, was found to have used his office to secure the release of a convict who had been sentenced by another judge.

“The commission found the actions of the judge to be unlawful and his defence untenable, consequently he is recalled from judicial functions indefinitely,” the statement reads.

The JSC further directed the compulsory retirement of Salisu Nayola, finance registrar of Kiru sharia court, following a JPCC investigation that confirmed he accepted bribes to process inheritance entitlements.

“Nayola reportedly collaborated with Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, who has also been recalled from judicial duties for two years and placed under the chief registrar’s supervision,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.

The commission also issued a warning to Sanusi Atana, a magistrate, following two petitions against him.

He allegedly assumed the role of recovery of premises in a criminal trial, and granted bail to a suspect before the date slated for ruling, without notifying the prosecution.

Alkali Abdullahi, judge of Takai sharia court, was issued a warning for handling cases outside his jurisdiction.

Shuaibu Bello, a court messenger, was found to have engaged in corruption by collecting money in excess of the official amount charged for opening a file.

“The committee also found him to engage in conduct unbecoming, rude and disrespectful to a court user and deceiving the petitioner into signing a letter of withdrawal of the petition,” the statement reads.

“The commission endorsed the JPCC’s recommendation, suspending Bello for four months without pay.”

The JSC also imposed compulsory retirement on Shamsu Abbas, a court registrar, for releasing a suspect on bail in a case that had not been assigned to any court.