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From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (KJSC) has taken disciplinary action against three magistrates and a registrar for acts of judicial misconduct.
Those sanctioned were Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama (Magistrate Court No. 29), Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir (Magistrate Court No. 48), Senior Magistrate Tijjani Saleh Minjibir (Magistrate Court No. 60) and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of the Appeal Section, High Court, Kano.
A statement by the spokesperson of the Commission, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, on Monday affirmed that the measures were taken at the 72nd meeting of the Commission held on 11 June 2024 in the state.
The statement noted: “Sequel to the findings of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) in respect to three petitions filed and investigated against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, the Commission adopted the recommendations of the JPCC after a thorough investigation and examination of the Chief Magistrate’s response.”
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The statement stated that making an order to GT Bank to transfer money already frozen in the petitioner’s account into her personal account, which she clearly admitted to in her response, was irregular.
In the second petition, the State JPCC found elements of judicial bias in the way she handled the matter, stating that in the third petition, her conduct was despicable for a judicial officer.
The Commission consequently announced: “Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama is recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately.
“Following the review of the circumstances surrounding the handling of the case between Commissioner of Police Vs Abubakar Salisu, by Rabi Abdulkadir, Senior Magistrate Court No. 48, the Commission also found the actions of the Senior Magistrate to amount to judicial recklessness.
“The Commission therefore resolved to recall the Magistrate and relieve her from judicial duties for a period of one calendar year,” the statement said.
“She has been instructed to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48.”
“The Commission also considered the investigation report on the alleged misconduct against Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of the Appeals Department of the High Court and confirmed that Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.
“Consequently, the Commission issued a strong warning to Abdu Nasir and deferred his promotion for one year,” the statement said.
The Commission also deliberated on the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Court 60, which is manned by Tijjani Saleh Minjibir.
“The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory,” the Commission stated.
The Commission viewed the actions of the Chief Magistrate to amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness and unanimously took the decision to recall Tijjani Saleh Minjibir from judicial duties for a period of one year, effective immediately,” the statement said.
“He is to cease all judicial activities and report to the High Court headquarters for posting,” the statement added.
The Commission said it 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 the confidence of the public.
“These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commission’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system,” the statement added.
