Kano’s Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar of the Kano High Court for various misconducts, including an attempt to steal funds from a frozen bank account.
In a statement signed by the JSC spokesman, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, it was announced that at the 72nd meeting held on June 11, 2024, the commission reviewed petitions against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir.
“The Judicial Service Commission, at its 72nd meeting held on June 11, 2024, considered petitions against the three magistrates and one registrar in the state. The magistrates are Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir.
“These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commission’s commitment to maintaining highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system,” Jibo-Ibrahim added.
Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama was found guilty of ordering GTBank to transfer money from a petitioner’s frozen account into her personal account. She also faced allegations of judicial bias and improperly handling a case before it was assigned to her.
“The commission subsequently held that Chief Magistrate Talatu be recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately,” Jibo-Ibrahim stated.
He revealed the JSC also indicted Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir of judicial recklessness.
“The commission has resolved to recall the magistrate and relieve her of judicial duties for a period of one calendar year and has instructed her to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.
He further said that the investigation revealed that senior registrar Abdu Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.
“The commission issued a strong warning to Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year,” the spokesman said.
The statement added that the commission also deliberated on the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir at its 73rd meeting.
READ ALSO: 2027: Peter Obi Remains Our Candidate, Says Labour Party; Insists on Peaceful Approach to Resolve Internal Conflict
“The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory and the commission viewed the actions of the magistrate amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness. Saleh-Minjibir is recalled from judicial duties for a period of one year, effective immediately, and is ceased of all judicial activities,” Mr Jibo-Ibrahim said.
He said the suspended magistrate was to report to the Kano High Court for posting.
The statement emphasized that these disciplinary actions reflect its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system.
The commission affirmed that it would continue to impose appropriate sanctions on any erring staff to safeguard the judicial system’s integrity and maintain public confidence.
(NAN)
Follow the Parallel Facts channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaCQSAoHgZWiDjR3Kn2E
