Kwara Judicial Service Commission Dismisses 2 Officers, Demotes Magistrate
The Kwara State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed two officers fot gross misconduct and demoted a Magistrate for negligence of duty.
These were parts of the decisions taken during the eliberatio’s meeting on Wednesday, which deliberated extensively on critical administrative and personnel matters affecting the Kwara State Judiciary.
The meeting focused on staff welfare, career progression, transfer of service, and disciplinary issues.
The Magistrate, Imam A.A, was demoted from Grade Level 13 to Grade Level 12 for negligence after it was established that he failed to properly supervise the bail perfection process in a case of culpable homicide, allowing his Registrar to compromise the procedure.
The Commission said, “Proxy sureties were arranged after the Registrar collected ₦200,000, leading to the fraudulent release of the defendant.
“The defendant subsequently absconded, resulting in unnecessary adjournments. The Magistrate later terminated the case without due process.
“Following the defendant’s alleged commission of another murder, a petition was lodged by the State Commissioner of Police. A Committee set up by the Commission found the Magistrate culpable of negligence in supervisory oversight.”
The two dismissed officers are Mr. Saadullahi Shuaib and Mr. Bisade Adebarade Philips.
Shuaib, a Grade Level 10 officer and former Registrar to Magistrate Imam A.A. at the Chief Magistrate Court Sango, was dismissed from the service for gross misconduct, having collected money from the defendant’s relatives for bail perfection, shared part of the proceeds with colleagues, and failed to conduct the mandatory scrutiny of sureties, in collaboration with the Court’s Orderly.
On his part, Philips, a Registrar to Justice Oluwatosin Adeniyi, was also dismissed from the service following a petition by litigants and legal practitioners detailing repeated unethical practices.
“An investigation revealed that on 26th June, 2026, he collected ₦12,000 (instead of the official ₦2,700) for the issuance of a Divorce Certificate, bypassed the revenue payment process to KWIRS, and appended his signature on the certificate, an action beyond his authority.
“During his defence before the Committee on 1st July, 2026, Mr. Philips admitted some of the allegations but denied others. However, testimonies from the Secretary, Clerk and Legal Researcher of the Court along with other supporting evidence, confirmed a pattern of demanding and collecting money from litigants and lawyers before releasing court orders and judgments. The Commission, after careful evaluation, found him guilty of serious misconduct and unethical behaviour.
The Commission reitreiterated that it would not tolerate any form of corruption, negligence, or compromise of judicial processes, reminding all staff to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism.
Meanwhile, the commission has approved the immediate cash-backing for staff due for elevation between January 2025, July 2025 and January 2026. The approved cash-backing will take effect this July.
It also confirmed Mr. Shola Ayenigba as the Substantive Chief Accountant of the Judicial Service Commission, having served meritoriously in an acting capacity for several months.
The Commission also approved the transfer of service of Magistrate Nimat Abdulrazaq from the Kwara State Judiciary to the Federal Judicial Service Commission, Abuja, after due consideration of all necessary administrative procedures.
