The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has demoted a Shari’a Court judge and taken disciplinary action against several other judicial officers for misconduct. The decisions followed investigations into complaints of corruption and ethical violations. The commission emphasized its commitment to upholding judicial standards.
In a move to reinforce ethical standards, the Kano State Judicial Service Commission demoted Shari’a Court Judge Shamsu Maul’ainaini of the Upper Shari’a Court, Durbunde, after finding him guilty of financial impropriety and misconduct in a case before him. According to a release signed by spokesperson Baba Jibo Ibrahim, Maul’ainaini had been referred to the State Judiciary Public Complaints Committee, where he was deemed guilty of corruption. He was demoted to the registrar cadre by one grade level and warned against tampering with case files.
The commission also criticized retired Upper Shari’a Court Judge Munzali Tanko for conducting judicial proceedings nine days after his retirement, calling the action unethical and dishonest, as it risked damaging the judiciary’s image.
These measures stemmed from the commission’s 86th meeting, where it adopted recommendations from the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee on various petitions. Principal Registrar Isa Yuguda Wudilawa, attached to the Magistrate Court Zungeru Complex, was demoted from Grade Level 12 to 10 for diverting official funds to his personal account, violating financial procedures and public service ethics under Kano State Civil Service Rules and Judicial Service Regulations.
Alkali Ibrahim Isah Usman, Presiding Judge of Bebeji Shari’a Court, received a strong warning and a one-year promotion deferral for executing a judgment before the 30-day appeal period expired, with his explanation deemed unsatisfactory. Clerk Ibrahim Salim of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, faced dismissal for forgery, falsifying records, and demanding bribes from litigants, constituting gross misconduct.
The commission commended Presiding Judge Alkali Ali Jibrin Danzaki of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, for his integrity in reporting the clerk’s misconduct, issuing him a commendation letter as an example for others. It reaffirmed its dedication to discipline, transparency, and ethical conduct, stating that misconduct would not be tolerated at any level.