In a detailed statement issued on Sunday, Abbas Wangara, Director of Protocol and Publicity at the Jigawa State Judiciary, revealed that these disciplinary actions were reached during the JSC’s 178th meeting. This significant meeting, chaired by the JSC Secretary, Auwalu Dan’Azumi, focused on examining numerous allegations of procedural violations and misconduct within the judiciary.
According to Wangara, “The commission is resolute in its commitment to enforcing judicial integrity and ensuring strict adherence to the rule of law.”
Dismissals for Gross Misconduct
Three judicial officers were dismissed for actions deemed as serious violations of their professional responsibilities:
Iyal Ibrahim (Higher Registrar, Grade Level 08): Found guilty of illegally selling two vehicles presented as exhibits in a case handled by the Federal High Court in Dutse.Baffa Alhaji (Principal Registrar, Grade Level 14): Also dismissed for his involvement in the unauthorized sale of the same vehicles, contravening Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006.
Both officers’ terminations were enforced under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012.
Abdu Aujara (Chief Clerical Officer): Dismissed for misappropriating ₦965,000, a litigant’s deposit in a case involving Ja’iz Bank at the Chief Magistrates’ Court in Jahun. His actions were classified as gross misconduct, leading to his dismissal in accordance with the same legal framework.Advisory Resignations for Shari’a Court Judges
The JSC investigated complaints against several Shari’a Court judges and found them guilty of breaching judicial procedures. The following judges were advised to tender their resignations within two weeks:
Adamu Farin-Dutse: Found guilty of abuse of judicial powers and continued misconduct despite prior warnings.Muhammad Usman: Violated judicial procedures by issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment in a case.
Usman Zubair: Mishandled inheritance cases by involving individuals who were not parties to the legal matters, leading to procedural irregularities.
Warnings Issued to Magistrates
In addition to dismissals and advised resignations, two magistrates were reprimanded for unprofessional behavior:
Munnir Abdullahi: Received a warning for improperly converting a civil matter into a criminal case and exhibiting partisanship in his rulings.Yakubu Ibrahim: Cautioned for using inappropriate and derogatory language toward a litigant at the Chief Magistrate Court in Maigatari.
According to Wangara, these warnings are aimed at reinforcing discipline and ethical standards within the judiciary.
Commitment to a Corruption-Free Judiciary
The Judicial Service Commission reiterated its dedication to maintaining high professional standards and eradicating corruption from the judiciary. These disciplinary actions are seen as vital steps in restoring public trust and confidence in the judicial system.
“This exercise demonstrates our unyielding commitment to ensuring a corruption-free judiciary, protecting the sanctity of the rule of law, and safeguarding the rights of every citizen,” Wangara concluded in his statement.
The JSC continues to emphasize that it will not hesitate to take appropriate measures against any judicial officer found guilty of misconduct, thereby strengthening the judiciary’s reputation and functionality.
