Kano’s Judicial Service Commission has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar of the Kano High Court over misconduct, including one magistrate caught attempting to steal funds from a frozen bank account.
The announcement was made in a statement signed by the spokesman for the JSC, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Monday, June 24.
“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. The 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 highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
The statement revealed that the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee’s investigate into three petitions filed against Makama found her guilty of misconduct.
Investigation showed that she ordered GTBank to transfer money from a petitioner’s already frozen account into her personal account, an act she admitted in her response.
The second petition uncovered elements of judicial bias in her handling of matters.
According to the statement, the third petition revealed that she received a case and issued an order to the police before the case was officially assigned to her.
“The commission subsequently held that Chief Magistrate Talatu be recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
He added that the JSC also indicted Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir for judicial recklessness.
“The commission has resolved to recall the magistrate and relieve her of judicial duties for a period of one calendar year and has instructed her to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
He further stated that the investigation revealed that Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.
“The commission issued a strong warning to Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year,” the spokesman said.
The statement added that the commission also reviewed the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir during its 73rd meeting.
“The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory and the commission viewed the actions of the magistrate amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness. Saleh-Minjibir is recalled from judicial duties for a period of one year, effective immediately, and is ceased of all judicial activities,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
He said the suspended magistrate was to report to the Kano High Court for reassignment.
The statement emphasized that the commission would persist in applying appropriate sanctions against any erring staff, especially those with judicial responsibilities.
These measures aim to protect the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain public confidence.
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