The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission has sanctioned three judges and sacked three other judicial officers for misconduct.
The commission also advised three Shari’a Court judges to resign, while reprimanding two others for dereliction of duty.
This is contained in a statement issued on Sunday, by Abbas Wangara, the director of protocol and publicity of the commission in Dutse.
The statement said the commission, at its 178th meeting held on January 7, 2025, approved the disciplinary actions against the erring personnel for violating judicial procedures and rules.
“In the outcome of the meeting signed by Auwalu Dan’Azumi, Secretary of the JSC, the commission received the report of an investigation committee from the high court department in respect of two officers.
“The affected officers are Iyal Ibrahim, higher registrar on Grade Level 08, and Baffa Alhaji, principal registrar on Grade Level 14.
“The two officers were found guilty of illegal sales of two vehicles, exhibits of the Federal High Court, Dutse, and committed an official misconduct punishable under Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006.
“Also, the commission resolved that the service of the two officers be terminated in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, 2012,” the statement said.
The statement added that the commission received a report from the high court department regarding Abdu Aujara, a chief clerical officer, for suppressing N965,000, being a litigant’s deposit in a recovery case, filed by Ja’iz Bank before the Chief Magistrates Court in Jahun.
“The commission terminated the officer’s appointment in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, 2012.
“Also, the commission deliberated on the report of the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee in respect of Adamu Farin-Dutse, a Shari’a Court judge accused of abusing his judicial powers and misapplication of the law, after the officer had been warned several times in that regard.
“After careful deliberations, the commission found the officer liable for official misconduct in accordance with the provision of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service.
“Therefore, the commission resolved to write to the officer and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks as provided by Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, 2012,” the statement further stated.
The commission also deliberated on the report of official misconduct regarding another Shari’a Court judge, Muhammad Usman, who allegedly abused power by issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment.
According to Mr Wangara, the action shows that judicial functions were conducted without following due process in violation of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service, 2006.
He said the commission advised the judge to tender his resignation letter from the service in accordance with the provision of Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, 2012.
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Similarly, the commission deliberated on the report in respect of Usman Zubair, another Shari’a Court judge who allegedly abused judicial powers.
He said the judge allegedly abused judicial powers by refusing to adjudicate properly on matters of distribution of inheritance shares to the legal heirs and allowed another person who was not party to the substantive matter to benefit.
“The commission also found that the officer had been warned for irregularities in both his civil and criminal proceedings.
“It resolved to write to Usman Usman Zubair and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks.
“Also, the commission issued a warning letter to the resident Magistrate, Munnir Abdullahi, for converting a civil matter to a criminal matter by allowing himself to be partisan in the case,” the commission declared.
The commission further warned another Magistrate, Yakubu Ibrahim, for abuse of power by insulting and uttering derogatory words to a litigant when she appeared before him at the Chief Magistrate Court, Maigatari.
According to Wangana, disciplinary exercise is part of the commission’s efforts to ensure a corrupt-free judiciary and maintain a high level of performance, discipline, and professionalism.
While reiterating its commitment to ensuring a fair and supportive working environment for all judicial employees, Wangara assured that the commission will continue to take necessary disciplinary actions to maintain standards.