The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission has dismissed three judicial staff for misconduct.
The commission also advised three Shari’a Court judges to resign and issued reprimands to two others for dereliction of duty.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday in Dutse by Abbas Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity for the Jigawa State Judiciary.
At its 178th meeting on January 7, the commission approved disciplinary measures against personnel found guilty of violating judicial procedures and rules.
“In the outcome of the meeting signed by Auwalu Dan’Azumi, Secretary of the JSC, the commission received the investigation committee’s report from the High Court department concerning two officers.
“The officers, Iyal Ibrahim, a Higher Registrar on Grade Level 08, and Baffa Alhaji, a Principal Registrar on Grade Level 14, were found guilty of the illegal sale of two vehicles that were exhibits of the Federal High Court, Dutse. Their actions constituted official misconduct punishable under Rules 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006.
“As a result, the commission resolved to terminate the service of the two officers in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. 20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012,” Wangara stated.
The commission also dismissed Chief Clerical Officer Abdu Aujara for embezzling ₦965,000, a litigant’s deposit in a recovery case filed by Ja’iz Bank at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Jahun. His appointment was terminated under the same legal provisions.
The Judiciary Public Complaint Committee presented a report implicating Adamu Farin-Dutse, a Shari’a Court Judge, in abusing judicial powers and misapplying the law. Despite multiple warnings, the judge was found guilty of official misconduct. The commission advised him to tender his resignation within two weeks under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012.
Another Shari’a Court Judge, Muhammad Usman, was accused of issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment, a violation of judicial processes. The commission similarly advised him to resign within two weeks.
In a separate case, Judge Usman Zubair was found guilty of irregularities in inheritance distribution cases and allowing non-parties to benefit from substantive matters. He was also advised to resign due to repeated warnings for his judicial conduct.
Additionally, Resident Magistrate Munnir Abdullahi received a warning for converting a civil matter into a criminal one and exhibiting partisanship. Magistrate Yakubu Ibrahim was also reprimanded for insulting a litigant and using derogatory language during proceedings at the Chief Magistrate Court in Maigatari.
Wangara noted that the disciplinary measures are part of the commission’s efforts to ensure a corrupt-free judiciary and maintain high standards of discipline and professionalism.
He assured that the commission remains committed to a fair and supportive working environment for all judicial employees and will continue to take necessary actions to uphold judicial integrity.
(NAN)