From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has recalled two Sharia Court judges and one magistrate from judicial functions, while directing two court registrars to proceed on immediate compulsory retirement.
A statement by the spokesman of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, on Monday disclosed that the state Judiciary Public Complaint Committee (JPCC) investigated two petitions filed against Magistrate Nasir Ado and was satisfied that the magistrate conducted proceedings without a record.
“When asked, he falsified and tampered with the record to show that there was a record of the proceeding,” the statement said.
The commission regarded the act of falsifying and tampering with court records as gross misconduct and accordingly recalled him from judicial duties, Jibo stated.
He added that a Sharia Court judge, Yusuf Kawu, was found guilty of using his judicial position to release a convict who had been sentenced by another Alkali to 12 calendar months without an option of a fine.
“The commission found the actions of the Alkali unlawful and his defence untenable, and consequently recalled him from judicial functions indefinitely.”
A further breakdown of the statement indicated that Salisu Adamu Nayola, the finance registrar of Kiru Sharia Court, was found guilty of collecting money from families of deceased persons before processing their inheritance and entitlements and was directed to proceed on immediate compulsory leave.
“It was confirmed that Salisu Nayola was in cohort with Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, who was complacent in the acts of collecting bribes by the registrar,” the statement added.
Also to proceed on immediate compulsory retirement is Shamsu Abbas, a court registrar who was found to have assumed an adjudicative role by releasing a suspect on bail without the case being officially assigned to any court, while ordering the suspect to make financial restitution related to the alleged crime.
“The committee found his actions to constitute a flagrant violation of the responsibilities of a court registrar and directed him to proceed on immediate retirement.”
The statement explained that the commission issued a strong warning to Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi of the Sharia Court, Takai, following confirmation that he presided over an estate distribution case located outside his jurisdiction in Sabo Garba Housing Estate, Kabuga, and Dorayi Kwanar Makabarta.
The judge was strictly warned to adhere to his territorial limits and avoid handling cases outside his designated jurisdiction.
“The Judicial Service Commission remains dedicated to ensuring that all judiciary personnel perform their duties within the boundaries of the law,” the statement said.