Kano Sanctions Four Magistrates, Court Registrar Over Misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken disciplinary actions against four magistrates and one court registrar over misconduct.

The decision to sanction the judicial officers was taken at the State Judicial Service Commission during its 72nd meeting held on the 11th June 2024.

Similarly, the commission also at its 73rd meeting held on 20th June 2024, deliberated on the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Court 60 manned by Tijjani Saleh Minjibir.

It said the responses to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory.

The commission said it viewed the actions of the chief magistrate to amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness and unanimously took the decision to recall Tijjani Saleh Minjibir from judicial duties for a period of one year effective immediately.

He is to cease all judicial activities and report to the High Court Headquarters for posting.

A statement issued by the Spokesman of Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, on Monday said the disciplinary actions against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, magistrate Court No 29, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, magistrate Court No 48 and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of Appeal section, High Court kano.

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The statement read in part, ‘’Sequel to the findings of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee ( JPCC ) in respect to three petitions filed and investigated upon against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, the commission has adopted the recommendations of the JPCC which conducted a thorough investigation on the matters and equally examined the chief magistrate’s response came up with the findings that her actions amount to gross- misconduct i.e making an order to GT Bank to transfer money in the petitioner’s account already frozen, into her personal account which she clearly admitted in her response.

‘’The JPCC in the second petition also found elements amounting to Judicial bias in handling matters by the chief magistrate while in the third petition, her conduct was despicable of a judicial officer where her worship was found receiving case and making an order to the police even before the case was directed to her. Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama is recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately. ‘’

‘’Following the review of the circumstance surrounding the handling of the case between Commissioner of Police Vs Abubakar Salisu, by Rabi Abdulkadir, Senior Magistrate Court No. 48, the Commission found the actions of the Senior Magistrate to amount to Judicial recklessness and therefore the Commission has resolved to recall the Magistrate and relieved her from judicial duties for a period of one calendar year. She has been instructed to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48.

The statement said the JSC also considered the investigation report on the alleged misconduct of Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of the Appeals Department of the High Court.

The report confirmed that Mr. Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.

Consequently, the Commission issued a Strong Warning to Abdu Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year.

The commission noted that it will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities in order to safe guard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.

These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commission’s commitment to maintaining highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system.