Kano JSC Sanctions Judges, Court Staff Over Misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has disciplined two Shari’a Court judges and several court staff over various acts of misconduct.

This is contained in a statement issued by the spokesman of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Saturday in Kano.

He said the decisions were reached at the commission’s 89th meeting held on April 16, in line with its mandate to uphold discipline, integrity and accountability within the judiciary.

According to him, the affected judges are Salisu Buhari-Mandawari of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rogo, and Umar Sunusi-Danbaba of the Upper Shari’a Court, Filin Hockey. Other sanctioned staff include Mahmud Ahmed, a Transport Officer attached to the High Court; Abdulbari Ado, Finance Registrar; Umar Abdulhamid, Administrative Registrar; and Sabiu Adam-Inusa, Finance Registrar at the Upper Shari’a Court, Gwarzo.

Jibo-Ibrahim said the disciplinary measures followed the adoption of recommendations by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) after investigating petitions.

He explained that Ahmed was issued a strong warning for acting outside his official duties, threatening members of the public and using the judiciary’s name to intimidate individuals, and was directed to restrict himself to his assigned responsibilities.

The spokesman further stated that Buhari-Mandawari was sanctioned for demanding and receiving gratification, as well as failing to properly record court proceedings.

He was demoted by two grade levels and recalled from judicial duties for at least three years on half salary.

Similarly, Sunusi-Danbaba was recalled from judicial duties for a minimum of three years over acts of bias, improper handling of funds and failure to properly document proceedings. He is to receive half salary for one year.

In addition, Ado and Abdulhamid were both demoted by two grade levels and placed on half salary for one year for their involvement in demanding and receiving gratification. They were also warned to desist from further misconduct.

Jibo-Ibrahim added that Adam-Inusa was warned over discrepancies in figures and words on an issued receipt and was relieved of his position as Finance Registrar, although the error was accepted as a mistake.

In a related development, the commission approved the appointment of Hussaini Hassan-Suleiman as the substantive Chief Registrar of the High Court of Justice, Kano State.

The spokesman reiterated the commission’s zero tolerance for misconduct, stressing that discipline, integrity and accountability remain fundamental pillars of the judiciary.