Commission sanctions Kano magistrates, senior registrar

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has imposed disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a senior court registrar in the state.

In a statement on Monday, the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Ibrahim, identified the sanctioned magistrates as Talatu Makama, Rabi Abdulkadir and Tijjani Minjibir.

Also sanctioned was the Senior Registrar of Appeal Section, Kano High Court, Abdu Nasir.

According to the statement, the commission reached the decision during its June 11, 2024 meeting, where it adopted the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee’s report on the magistrates.

“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, the magistrate’s conduct was despicable of a judicial officer, where she 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,” the statement read.

On Abdulkadir, the statement stated that following the review of the circumstances surrounding his handling of a case between the Commissioner of Police vs Abubakar Salisu, the commission found the actions to amount to judicial recklessness and, therefore, resolved to recall and relieve her of judicial duties for one calendar year.

“She has been instructed to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48 effective immediately,” the statement read.

It added that the JSC considered the investigation report on the alleged misconduct of Nasir of the Appeals Department of the High Court.

The report confirmed that Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his account, which constituted serious consequences.

The commission, therefore, issued a strong warning to Nasir and deferred his promotion for one year.

The statement additionally revealed that the commission, in its 73rd meeting held on June 20, 2024, deliberated on the petitions received against Minjibir, stressing that the response to the queries issued was found unsatisfactory.

“The commission viewed the actions of the chief magistrate to amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness and unanimously decided 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,” the statement noted.

It said the commission would continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff, particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities, to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.