Kano Judiciary Cracks Down on Misconduct: Judges, Magistrates, and Registrar Sanctioned

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken sweeping disciplinary action against several judicial officers, including magistrates and court registrars, over allegations of misconduct and abuse of office, signalling a strong commitment to integrity and accountability within the judiciary.

In a statement issued Thursday by Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, the JSC disclosed that the disciplinary measures were part of key resolutions reached during a meeting held on Wednesday.

Among the most notable actions was the one-year recall of Alkali Mustapha Kiru, a kadi of the Sharia court, who was found guilty of issuing a controversial writ of possession in a land dispute case after closing proceedings prematurely due to the plaintiff’s failure to produce a witness. According to the commission, Kiru then jailed the petitioner off-the-record for three weeks for contesting the ruling — a move described as a clear violation of fair hearing principles.

Alkali Ahmad was also handed a warning for negligence. The Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) found that his failure to adhere to proper criminal procedures could have led to a miscarriage of justice.

Senior Magistrate Sakina Aminu received a formal caution for disregarding directives from her superiors, including the Chief Judge. She was specifically admonished for poor cooperation with state counsel and for continuing to engage police prosecutors, despite a standing directive prohibiting their involvement in court proceedings.

Salisu Sule, a court registrar, was demoted by one grade level after an investigation revealed four separate complaints of misconduct. According to Jibo-Ibrahim, Sule used his position to insult, intimidate, and harass the public, exploiting the name of the judiciary to carry out these acts. Although previously warned in December 2024, the JSC has now imposed stricter sanctions given the recurrence of his behaviour.

In a particularly egregious case, Ahmad Danmaraya, a principal registrar at the High Court Headquarters in Kano, was ordered into compulsory retirement. The JPCC found him guilty of forging an affidavit, fraudulently affixing the high court’s official stamp and seal, and generating a fake receipt number, despite not being a recognised commissioner for oaths.

On a more positive note, magistrates Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti and Rabi Abdulkadir, who had previously been under review, were cleared to resume their judicial duties. The JSC urged both to uphold the highest standards of professionalism moving forward.

The commission emphasised that these actions underscore its unwavering stance on judicial accountability. “The JSC remains committed to promoting professionalism within the judiciary and will not tolerate any form of misconduct,” Jibo-Ibrahim stated.