The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar from the state High Court due to misconduct.
According to The PUNCH, a statement signed by the spokesman for the Kano State Judiciary, on Monday in Kano, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, detailed these actions.
“The Judicial Service Commission at its 72nd meeting held on June 11, 2024, considered petitions against the three magistrates and one registrar in the state,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
The involved magistrates are Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir.
“These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system,” Jibo-Ibrahim emphasized.
An investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee into three petitions against Makama found her guilty of misconduct.
The statement revealed that she had ordered GT Bank to transfer money from a petitioner’s already frozen account into her personal account, a fact she admitted in her response.
Additionally, another petition cited judicial bias in her case handling, and a third found she issued an order to the police before a case was officially assigned to her.
As a result, “The commission subsequently held that Chief Magistrate Talatu be recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately,” Jibo-Ibrahim announced.
Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir was found guilty of judicial recklessness. She has been “recalled from the bench and relieved of judicial duties for a period of one calendar year,” Jibo-Ibrahim stated, adding that she must cease all activities at Magistrate Court No. 48.
Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir was found to have received payments of court record fees into his personal account, which was deemed serious misconduct. Consequently, the commission “issued a strong warning to Nasir and deferred his promotion for one year,” Jibo-Ibrahim reported.
The commission’s 73rd meeting also addressed petitions against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir.
The responses to his queries were found unsatisfactory, and his actions were deemed serious misconduct and judicial recklessness.
Consequently, “Saleh-Minjibir is recalled from judicial duties for a period of one year, effective immediately, and has ceased all judicial activities,” Jibo-Ibrahim said, adding that the suspended magistrate must report to the state High Court for reassignment.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the integrity and accountability of the judicial system, emphasizing that it will continue to impose appropriate sanctions on any erring staff, particularly those in judicial roles, to preserve public confidence.
