The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed three officers over gross misconduct and issued sanctions against several judges in a bid to uphold discipline and professionalism in the judiciary.
The decision was reached during the Commission’s 178th meeting held in Dutse.
In a statement released by the Director of Protocol and Publicity, Abbas Rufa’i Wangara, and signed by the Commission’s Secretary, Barr. Auwalu Dan’azumi, it was revealed that two registrars, Iyal Ibrahim and Baffa Alhaji, were dismissed for the illegal sale of vehicle exhibits belonging to the Federal High Court in Dutse.
Another officer, Abdu Hassan Aujara, was terminated for embezzling ₦965,000 deposited by a litigant in a case filed at the Chief Magistrate Court, Jahun.
The Commission also acted on complaints against three Shari’a Court judges accused of abusing their judicial powers. Alkali Adamu Isyaku Farin-Dutse, who had been repeatedly warned for misapplication of the law, was found liable for judicial misconduct. Alkali Muhammad Shehu Usman was accused of issuing a writ of possession without delivering judgment, while Alkali Usman Usman Zubair was faulted for mishandling inheritance cases and allowing non-parties to benefit. All three judges were advised to resign within two weeks, as stipulated by judicial service laws.
In addition, two magistrates were issued warnings for unprofessional conduct. Resident Magistrate Gumel Munnir Sarki Abdullahi was cautioned for converting a civil matter into a criminal case and showing partisanship, while Magistrate Yakubu Ibrahim was reprimanded for using derogatory language against a litigant at the Chief Magistrate Court in Maigatari.
The Commission assured the public that it would continue to take decisive measures to maintain discipline, professionalism, and trust in the judicial system.
Jigawa judiciary dismisses three officials, sanctions judges over alleged misconduct