The Kano Judicial Service Commission, JSC, has sanctioned six court officials over alleged fraud, extortion and forgery.
The JSC took the decision during its 74th meeting held on 22nd July, 2024.
Baba Jibo Ibrahim, spokesman Kano State Judicial Service Commission, made this known in a statement on Friday.
He said the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee, JPCC, investigated a petition brought against two court registrars (Mustapha Makama Registrar C.M.C 27 and Yusuf Muhammad Yakasai Registrar C.M.C 14 Gyadi-Gyadi) who conspired and extorted the sum of N130,000 from a petitioner under the pretense of releasing a suspect on bail, which turned out to be false.
The Committee found that their action amounts to extortion and conspiracy, involving unlawful receipt of funds.
Ibrahim maintained that the Judicial Service Commission, acting on the recommendation of the JPCC, directed Mustapha Makama to proceed on compulsory retirement, having been found not to be fit and proper to continue in the service of the judiciary, while Yusuf Muhammad Yakasai, who is an accessory to the misconduct, has been demoted one grade level downward.
“The JPCC also investigated a petition against a syndicate comprising Salisu Ado (Secretary at High Court Complex Bompai), Bilya Abdullahi (Senior Registrar High Court No. 9), Ismail Garba and Auwalu Ibrahim Khalil (Court Registrars) and found their action amount to conspiracy, forgery and cheating by issuance of forged bank reversal court order and also forging the signature of a magistrate.
“The Judicial Service Commission upon adoption of the recommendation of the JPCC has suspended the above mentioned staff with immediate effect.
“The Commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities in order to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain public confidence,” the statement added.