Kano judicial commission recalls judge for secretly jailing petitioner

The Kano state Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary action against magistrates and court registrars over issues of misconduct.

A statement on Thursday by Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, spokesperson of the Kano state judiciary, said the decision was part of the resolutions reached at the JSC’s meeting held on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the commission resolved to recall Alkali Mustapha Kiru, a kadi of the Sharia court, for one year.

He was found to have delivered a ruling to close a case due to the plaintiff’s failure to produce a witness in court.

“After closing the case, he issued a writ of possession in respect of the disputed farmland, which clearly violates the principles of fair hearing,” the statement reads.

“Kiru imprisoned the petitioner off-record for three weeks for challenging the issuance of the writ of possession to the defendant.”

The commission issued a warning to Alkali Ahmad after the judiciary public complaints committee (JPCC) found him to be “negligent” in handling a case.

The statement cited his “non-adherence to the practice and procedures in criminal matters, which could lead to a miscarriage of justice for the warning”.

The JSC  also issued a warning letter to Sakina Aminu, a senior magistrate, for acting contrary to superior directives.

“Aminu is cautioned against acting contrary to the express directives of the chief judge or any superior officer to whom she reports,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.

“She is further advised to maintain a cordial working relationship with state counsel posted to her court and to fully comply with the chief judge’s circular prohibiting the engagement of police prosecutors in handling cases before her court.”

The commission also demoted Salisu Sule, a court registrar, by one grade level “after the JPCC found overwhelming evidence of misconduct in four separate complaints bordering on insults, intimidation, and abuse of office”.

Jibo-Ibrahim said investigation revealed that Sule consistently used the name of the judiciary to harass and intimidate the public in the course of his duties.

“The JSC had issued a warning letter to him dated December 19, 2024, and has now resolved to impose this stiffer sanction, demoting him by one grade level with immediate effect,” he said.

The statement added that after a “careful” review, the commission resolved that Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti and Rabi Abdulkadir, both magistrates in the state, should resume sitting and continue with their judicial duties.

“They are, however, admonished to uphold the highest standards of integrity, diligence, and professionalism in the discharge of their judicial functions,” the statement said.

Ahmad Danmaraya, a principal registrar attached to the high court headquarters in Kano, was directed to proceed on compulsory retirement with immediate effect for acts of “gross misconduc.

“The JPCC found Danmaraya guilty of forging an affidavit, affixing the high court stamp and seal, and inscribing a fake receipt number, knowing fully well that he is not a commissioner for oaths,” the statement read.

The JSC stated that it remains steadfast in promoting accountability and professionalism within the judiciary, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on any form of misconduct.