The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has imposed disciplinary measures on three magistrates and a registrar of the state High Court due to misconduct, as revealed in a statement released by Mr. Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, on Monday in Kano.
During its 72nd meeting held on June 11, 2024, the Judicial Service Commission reviewed complaints against the three magistrates and the registrar in the state.
The sanctioned individuals are: Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir.
Mr. Jibo-Ibrahim stated, “These disciplinary actions demonstrate the Judicial Service Commission’s dedication to upholding the highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system.”
According to the statement, an investigation conducted by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee on three petitions against Makama found her guilty of misconduct.
The investigation uncovered that she instructed GT Bank to transfer money from a petitioner’s frozen account to her personal account, an action she openly admitted to in her response.
The statement also mentioned elements of judicial bias in her handling of a case from a second petition.
In the third petition, she was accused of receiving a case and issuing an order to the police before the case was officially assigned to her.
“As a result, Chief Magistrate Talatu has been removed from her position on the bench and relieved of all judicial duties with immediate effect,” Jibo-Ibrahim declared.
Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir was found guilty of judicial recklessness by the commission.
“The commission has decided to suspend her from judicial duties for a year and directed her to cease all activities at Magistrate Court No. 48,” Jibo-Ibrahim announced.
The investigation also revealed that Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir accepted court record fees into his personal account, a serious misconduct for which he received a strong warning and a one-year postponement of his promotion.
At its 73rd meeting, the Commission reviewed petitions against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir.
“The responses to the queries were unsatisfactory, and the commission deemed the magistrate’s actions to amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness.
“Saleh-Minjibir has been suspended from judicial duties for a year, effective immediately, and has been relieved of all judicial responsibilities,” Jibo-Ibrahim stated.
The suspended magistrate has been instructed to report to the state High Court for reassignment.
The statement declared that the Commission will continue to enforce appropriate sanctions against any staff members, especially those with judicial responsibilities, who misconduct.
These measures aim to uphold the integrity and accountability of the judicial system, ensuring the public’s trust.