The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary actions against eight judiciary staff members over misconduct bordering on corrupt practices.
In a statement yesterday (Sunday, November 10) in Kano, the spokesperson of the Kano State Judiciary, Mr Baba Jibo-Ibrahim said:
“The Judicial Service Commission at its 76th meeting held on Nov.4, considered petitions against judicial staff and ordered compulsory retirement of two court registrars
”Those sanctioned are Magistrates Nasir Ado, Alkali Yusuf Kawu, Sanusi Usman-Atana, and Finance Registrar Salisu Adamu-Nayola.
“Others are Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi, Court messenger Shuaibu Bello, and Shamsu Abbas, Court registrar.”
According to the statement by Jibo-Ibrahim, investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) in respect of two petitions filed against Nasir Ado, revealed that he conducted proceedings without record and when asked, he falsified and tampered with the record to show that there was, indeed, a record of the proceedings.
The Commission adopted the recommendation of the JPCC that Ado’s actions of tampering with court records constituted gross misconduct and accordingly recalled him from judicial duties.
“Following a complaint filed against a Sharia Court Judge, Yusuf Kawu by Association of Fighting Criminals, that he used his judicial position to release a convict who was sentenced to one year imprisonment by another judge without an option of fine, the Commission found the action of the judge unlawful and his defence untenable, consequently he is recalled from judicial functions indefinitely,” the statement said.
Jibo-Ibrahim disclosed that the Commission also issued warning to Magistrate Sanusi Atana, following two petitions against him, where he was found to have engaged in the recovery of premises in a criminal trial and granted bail to a suspect before the date slated for ruling without notifying the prosecution.
“The Commission cautioned Atana to desist from exceeding his jurisdictional limit and uphold the principles of fair hearing,” the JSC statement added.
He said the JSC further directed the compulsory retirement of Salisu Adamu 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,” the JSC statement said.
The JSC also issued a strong warning to Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi of Takai Sharia Court Kano, for handling Sabo Garba Housing Estate, Kabuga, and Dorayi Kwanar Makabarta distribution case outside his jurisdiction.
The Commission advised him to strictly adhere to his territorial limits and avoid handling cases outside his jurisdiction.
The JSC statement also disclosed that after an investigation by the JPCC into the petition filed against a court messenger, Shuaibu Bello was found to have engaged in acts of 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 commission endorsed the JPCC’s recommendation, suspending Bello for four months without pay,” the statement said.
The JSC also imposed compulsory retirement on Shamsu Abbas, a court registrar for releasing a suspect on bail without the case being officially assigned to any court, making an order for the suspect to make financial restitution that are beyond his official duties.
The Judicial Service Commission, Jibo-Ibrahim assured, remains dedicated to ensuring that all judicial personnel perform their duties within the boundaries of the law and with the utmost respect for judicial processes, adding that the JSC will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff, particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities.
He reiterated that all the foregoing measures were taken to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.
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