Kano JSC Suspends Registrar, Warns Judge Over Misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has suspended a Principal Registrar and warned a Sharia Court Judge, following the outcome of investigations by the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee (JPCC).

In a statement on Wednesday, the Commission’s spokesman, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, said the actions were taken “in line with its statutory mandate to uphold discipline, integrity and ethical compliance within the judiciary.”

Ibrahim said the Commission, at its 88th meeting held on December 1, 2025, presided over by Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, issued a formal warning to the Upper Sharia Court Judge, Umar Bala Musa, of Dambatta.

According to the statement, the Judge “was found liable for delaying the release of the record of proceedings beyond the constitutional seven-day requirement despite repeated requests for three months.”

The Commission directed the judge to “ensure strict compliance with constitutional duties and judicial ethics.”

In a separate case, Saifuddeen Mukhtar Abdullahi, the principal registrar at the Kano Multi-Door Courthouse, was suspended without pay over a pending police investigation.

Abdullahi was alleged to have misappropriated co-operative investment funds, supported by forged witness signatures and conflicting co-operative loss records.

The Commission said it had “adopted the recommendation of the JPCC that he be referred to the Police for investigation and be placed on interim suspension without pay.”

Similarly, a Senior Clerical Officer at Kurna Sharia Court, Kamal Ado, was also suspended without pay as he is facing trial at the Federal High Court in Kano for “conspiracy to deal in illegal drugs and assault on officers in a criminal drug investigation, including tampering with exhibits”.

The Commission alleged that Ado “participated in an attack that led to vandalism of an official vehicle, unlawful release of a suspect and tampering with exhibits.”

The Commission further reviewed the case of one Ibrahim Adamu, whose earlier six-month suspension has been completed.

Kano JSC submitted that Adamu “has shown remorse, reported for posting and improved in his conduct,” prompting the Commission to lift the four-year promotion deferral and direct that he “be considered for promotion when due, subject to sitting and passing promotional exams.”