Corruption in the Judiciary: Nigerian Judges Face Disciplinary Actions

Corruption in the Judiciary: Nigerian Judges Face Disciplinary Actions

In a shocking expose, eight judiciary staff members in Kano State have been disciplined for misconduct, including illegally releasing convicts, falsifying court documents, and accepting bribes. The Kano State Judicial Service Commission took swift action after investigating petitions against the judiciary staff.

The sanctioned individuals include magistrates Nasir Ado, Alkali Yusuf Kawu, Sanusi Usman-Atana, and finance registrar Salisu Adamu-Nayola, as well as Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi, court messenger Shuaibu Bello, and Shamsu Abbas, court registrar.

Nasir Ado was found to have conducted proceedings without record and allegedly falsified documents when questioned. Yusuf Kawu illegally released a convict sentenced to one-year imprisonment by another judge. Salisu Adamu-Nayola accepted bribes to process inheritance entitlements. Sanusi Atana granted bail to a suspect without notifying the prosecution, and Shuaibu Bello collected money above the official amount charged for opening a file.

The Judicial Service Commission has taken measures to address these incidents, including compulsory retirement, recall from judicial duties, and suspension without pay. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring judiciary personnel adhere to the law and uphold judicial processes.

This development underscores the need for transparency and accountability within Nigeria's judicial system. The actions taken by the Kano State Judicial Service Commission serve as a step towards restoring public trust and maintaining the integrity of the judiciary.

The commission's decision was announced in a statement signed by the spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Sunday. "The Judicial Service Commission, at its 76th meeting held on November 4, considered petitions against the judiciary staff and ordered two court registrars to go on compulsory retirement," the statement read.

Those sanctioned are magistrates Nasir Ado, Alkali Yusuf Kawu, Sanusi Usman-Atana, and finance registrar Salisu Adamu-Nayola. Others are Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi, court messenger Shuaibu Bello, and Shamsu Abbas, court registrar.

The commission said an investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee regarding two petitions filed against Nasir Ado revealed that he conducted proceedings without record. When asked, he allegedly falsified and tampered with the record to show that there was a record of the proceeding.

Following a complaint filed against a Sharia Court judge, Yusuf Kawu, by Association of Fighting Criminals, that he used his judicial position to release a convict who was sentenced to one-year imprisonment by another judge without option of fine, the commission found the actions of the judge to be unlawful and his defence untenable. Consequently, he is recalled from judicial functions indefinitely.

The JSC further directed the compulsory retirement of Salisu Adamu Nayola, finance registrar of Kiru Sharia Court, following a JPCC investigation that confirmed he accepted bribes to process inheritance entitlements. Mr Nayola was accused of collaborating with Alkali Abdulmuminu Nuhu, who has been recalled from judicial duties for two years and placed under the chief registrar's supervision.

The JSC also strongly warned Alkali Abubakar Abdullahi of Takai Sharia Court Kano for handling Sabo Garba Housing Estate, Kabuga, and Dorayi Kwanar Makabarta distribution case outside his jurisdiction. The commission advised him to strictly adhere to his territorial limits and avoid handling cases outside his jurisdiction.

The statement added that after an investigation by the JPCC on the petition filed against a court messenger, Shuaibu Bello was found to have engaged in an act of corruption by collecting money above the official amount charged for opening a file.

The JSC also imposed compulsory retirement on Shamsu Abbas, a court registrar, for releasing a suspect on bail without the case being officially assigned to any court, ordering the suspect to make financial restitution. The JSC said it "remains dedicated to ensuring that all judiciary personnel perform their duties within the boundaries of the law and with the utmost respect for judicial processes.