The Jigawa Judicial Service Commission has directed three Sharia court judges to resign and terminated the appointments of three officers over allegations of misconduct.
During its 178th meeting in Dutse, the commission received an investigative report from the High Court department regarding Iyal Ibrahim (Higher Registrar, GL 08) and Baffa Alhaji (Principal Registrar, GL 14).
The officers were found guilty of illegally selling two vehicle exhibits belonging to the Federal High Court, Dutse, a violation categorised as official misconduct under Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service (2006).
This was disclosed in a statement by the Director of Protocol & Publicity for the Jigawa State Judiciary, Abbas Wangara.
“This act constitutes official misconduct punishable under Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service (2006). The commission has, therefore, resolved to terminate their services in line with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State (2012),” the statement read.
Similarly, the commission received a report concerning Abdu Hassan Aujara (Chief Clerical Officer), who was accused of suppressing N965,000—a litigant’s deposit in a recovery case filed by Ja’iz Bank at the Chief Magistrate Court, Jahun.
“After careful deliberation, the commission resolved to terminate his appointment under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law,” the statement said.
The commission also reviewed a report from the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee regarding Alkali Adamu Isyaku Farin-Dutse, a Sharia court judge accused of judicial misconduct and misapplication of the law.
“The judge had been warned several times in the past for similar behavior,” the statement noted. “After thorough deliberation, the commission found him liable for misconduct under Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service and resolved to request his resignation within two weeks.”
In another case, Alkali Muhammad Shehu Usman, a Sharia court judge, was found guilty of “issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment, a clear violation of judicial procedures.”
The commission advised him to resign within two weeks, stating: “His actions are in breach of the Judiciary Scheme of Service, and this decision aligns with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law.”
Additionally, Alkali Usman Usman Zubair, another Sharia court judge, was accused of improperly adjudicating an inheritance dispute.
“He refused to properly distribute shares to legal heirs and allowed a non-party to benefit from the case,” the statement said. The judge, who had been previously warned, was advised to resign within two weeks.
The Commission also issued a warning letter to Resident Magistrate Gumel, Munnir Sarki Abdullahi, for converting a civil matter into a criminal case and showing partisanship.
“His actions undermine judicial neutrality, and he has been warned under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law,” the JSC stated.
Similarly, Magistrate Yakubu Ibrahim was cautioned for “abusing his power by insulting and using derogatory language toward a litigant at the Chief Magistrate Court, Maigatari.”
The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission reaffirmed its commitment to “maintaining judicial integrity and providing a fair working environment for all employees.”