The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed a court clerk and demoted two judicial officers over allegations of forgery, bribery, and financial impropriety, as part of a renewed crackdown on misconduct within the state judiciary.
In a statement issued by the Commission’s spokesperson, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, the disciplinary actions followed the adoption of recommendations by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which investigated multiple petitions and complaints against judicial staff.
The sacked officer, Salim Umar, a Clerk with the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, was found guilty of forgery, falsification of court records, and demanding bribes from litigants. The Commission described his actions as gross misconduct and ordered his immediate dismissal from service.
Two others — Alkali Shamsu Maul’ainaini, Presiding Judge of the Upper Shari’a Court, Durbunde, and Isa Yuguda Wudilawa, a Principal Registrar at the Magistrate Court, Zungeru Complex — were demoted for financial misconduct.
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According to the statement, Wudilawa was found to have diverted official funds into his personal account, a violation of public service ethics. He was demoted from Grade Level 12 to Grade Level 10, in line with Section 04305 of the Kano State Civil Service Rules.
Similarly, Maul’ainaini was found guilty of removing court records and acting outside his jurisdiction. He was demoted from the rank of a presiding judge to the registrar cadre, stripped of judicial duties, and issued a strong warning.
The Commission also sanctioned other officers for varying degrees of misconduct. Alkali Ibrahim Isah Usman, Presiding Judge of Bebeji Shari’a Court, was cautioned and had his promotion deferred for one year for executing judgment before the expiration of the 30-day appeal window.
In a separate case, Alkali Munzali Tanko (Rtd.), a retired judge of the Upper Shari’a Court, Post Office, was found to have conducted court proceedings nine days after his retirement. The Commission condemned his actions as unethical and directed that his misconduct be made public as a deterrent to others.
Other disciplinary actions include: Magistrate Halima A.B. Wali, who received a strong warning for failure to adhere to due process in a criminal case.
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Also His Worship Abdul’aziz M. Habib, who was placed on half salary for three months and warned for disregarding official circulars.
Meanwhile, the Commission commended Alkali Ali Jibrin Danzaki, Presiding Judge of Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, for his integrity and courage in exposing the fraudulent activities of his clerk, describing his action as “exemplary and worthy of emulation.”
Reaffirming its zero tolerance for corruption, the Commission stated:
“The Kano State Judicial Service Commission remains fully committed to upholding discipline, transparency, and ethical standards within the judiciary. Misconduct at any level will not be condoned, and any staff found wanting will face appropriate sanctions.”