Kano judicial commission sanctions magistrates, registrar over misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar of the state High Court over misconduct.

This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Monday, June 24, 2024.

Jibo-Ibrahim noted: “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.”

He said an investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee in respect of three petitions filed against Makama found her guilty of misconduct.

According to him, the investigation revealed that Makama made an order to GT Bank to transfer money from a petitioner’s account into her personal account, adding that she admitted in her response.

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Jibo-Ibrahim disclosed that the second petition also found elements amounting to judicial bias in her handling of a matter.

The Kano State Judiciary spokesman stated that in the third petition, the magistrate was found to have received a case and made order to the police before the case was 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 noted that the commission also indicted Magistrate Abdulkadir of 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 an investigation revealed that Registrar Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which he said constituted serious misconduct.

“The commission issued a strong warning to Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year,” the spokesman said.

He added that the commission, at its 73rd meeting, deliberated on the petitions received against Saleh-Minjibir.

Jibo-Ibrahim noted: “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.”

He said the suspended magistrate was directed to report to the Kano State High Court for posting

The Star