Kano Judicial Commission Sanctions Registrar, Retires Senior Official Over Misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary action against several judicial officials following findings of misconduct, including the demotion of a court registrar and the compulsory retirement of a principal registrar.

In a statement issued by the spokesperson of the Commission, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, the decisions were reached during the Commission’s 82nd meeting held on Wednesday. The resolutions followed recommendations from the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which investigated various petitions and complaints.

The statement revealed that Court Registrar Salisu Sule was demoted by one grade level after he was found guilty of misconduct in four separate complaints involving insults, intimidation, and abuse of office. Investigations revealed that Sule routinely used the name of the judiciary to harass and intimidate members of the public despite receiving a warning letter on December 19, 2024, the JSC imposed a stiffer sanction due to the gravity of his actions.

In a separate case, Ahmad Aliyu Danmaraya, a Principal Registrar attached to the High Court Headquarters in Kano, was directed to proceed on compulsory retirement. The JPCC found him guilty of forging an affidavit, using the High Court stamp and seal without authorisation, and inscribing a fake receipt number—all while not being a Commissioner for Oaths.

The Commission also sanctioned Alkali Mustapha Kiru of the Sharia Court, recalling him from duty for one year. It was established that Kiru closed a case prematurely due to the plaintiff’s inability to produce a witness and then issued a writ of possession over disputed farmland, violating the principles of fair hearing.

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

Meanwhile, Chief Magistrates Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti and Rabi Abdulkadir were reinstated to resume judicial duties after being cleared by the JPCC. The Commission, however, cautioned them to uphold professionalism and integrity.

Warnings were also issued to several other officials. Senior Magistrate Sakina Aminu was cautioned for assigning a police prosecutor in her proceedings in defiance of directives from the Chief Judge. “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.”

Alkali Nasiru Ahmad was similarly warned for negligence and procedural lapses in handling a criminal case, which could have led to a miscarriage of justice.

The Commission emphasised its commitment to promoting integrity and accountability within the judiciary, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy toward any form of misconduct.