Ramatu Garba
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar of the state High Court over misconduct.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim.
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“The magistrates are: Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasiru.
The statement said that an investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee in respect of three petitions filed against Makama found her guilty of misconduct.
According to the statement, the investigation revealed that she made an order to GT Bank to transfer money in a petitioner’s account already frozen, into her account, which she admitted in her response.
It said the second petition also found elements amounting to judicial bias in her handling of matters.
In the third petition, she was found to have received a case and made an order to the police even before the case 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 said.
He said that the commission also indicted Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir of judicial recklessness.
“The commission has resolved to recall the magistrate and relieve her of judicial duties for one calendar year and has instructed her to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48,”
He further pointed out that the investigation revealed that Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his account, which constitutes serious misconduct, where his promotion was deferred for one year.
The statement added that the Commission also at its 73rd meeting, deliberated on the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir.
“The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory and the commission viewed the actions of the magistrate amounting to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness.
“Saleh-Minjibir is recalled from judicial duties for one year, effective immediatelyy, and has ceased all judicial activities,”
He stressed that the suspended magistrate was to report to the state High Court for posting.
The statement said the commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities.
It said the measures were to safsafeguarde integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.
NAN