Kano State Judicial Service Commission Takes Disciplinary Actions Against Officials
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken significant disciplinary actions against several judicial officers, including a Sharia court judge and an acting director of the Shari’a Court of Appeal. These measures were announced in a statement released by the commission’s spokesperson, Baba Ibrahim, on Tuesday.
The actions were based on findings from the State Judiciary Public Complaints Committee, which investigated allegations of bribery and corruption against the affected individuals. The commission’s decision was made during its 90th meeting held on 3rd July, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Judge of Kano State. The meeting reviewed reports and recommendations from various committees concerning petitions and disciplinary matters within the judiciary.
Disciplinary Measures Implemented
Aliyu Muhammad, the Presiding Judge of the Shari’a Court in Babeji, was directed to proceed on compulsory retirement. This decision followed allegations of bribery and corruption in Suit No. CV/474/2024 between Talatu Ibrahim and Muntari Abubakar Baguda. Muhammad is also required to refund N250,000.00 received as gratification.
In addition, Ibrahim Ahmad Ibrahim, a Court Clerk at the Shari’a Court in Babeji, was suspended without pay for four months after admitting to receiving part of the bribe in the same case.
Muzambilu Ado, the Acting Director, Information and Statistics, Shari’a Court of Appeal, was also ordered to retire immediately. The commission found serious irregularities in his academic credentials, including alterations to his academic records and unauthorized admission into the Nigerian Law School without the commission’s approval.
Additional Sanctions and Warnings
Usman Haruna, the Presiding Judge of the Upper Shari’a Court in Goron Dutse, was demoted by one Grade Level due to negligence in allowing proceeds from the sale of estate property to be deposited into a court official’s personal account. This action exposed litigants’ funds to potential misappropriation. The commission also ratified his previous recall from judicial duties for one year and issued a strong warning.
In another case, Abdullahi Wayya, the Presiding Judge of the Upper Shari’a Court in Kasuwa, was warned for negligence in supervising the bail process in Case No. CR/172/2022 between the Commissioner of Police and Muhammad Musa Kadawa. This negligence led to the release of the defendant without proper verification of the title documents submitted as a bail bond.
Inspector Shehu Adamu was reported to the CP Kano State for investigation and disciplinary action after he misled the court into releasing the defendant on bail by falsely assuring the court that all bail conditions had been fulfilled.
Ongoing Investigations and Commitment to Integrity
The commission also directed the Judicial Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) to conduct a thorough investigation into the conduct of Salmanu Zubairu, Registrar Record, and Ahmad Kabir, Finance Registrar, regarding their roles in handling the bail documents in the same matter.
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and ethical conduct within the judiciary. It emphasized that all judicial officers and court personnel must maintain conduct that promotes public confidence in the administration of justice. The commission warned that any act of misconduct, corruption, or abuse of office would result in appropriate sanctions.
