The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken firm disciplinary actions against judicial officers involved in various misconducts, signaling its commitment to uphold integrity and discipline within the state judiciary. Confirmed by Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, the Kano Judiciary spokesperson, these measures followed investigations by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) during the Commission’s 82nd meeting held earlier this May.
Among the key disciplinary actions, Registrar Salisu Sule was demoted by one grade level due to multiple proven infractions. The JPCC found that Sule abused his position by intimidating and verbally abusing citizens, misusing his authority repeatedly. Despite an earlier warning issued in December 2024, no corrective improvement was seen, prompting the Commission to escalate the penalty to a demotion.
In a separate but more severe case, Principal Registrar Ahmad Aliyu Danmaraya, based at the High Court Headquarters in Kano, faced compulsory retirement. The inquiry uncovered that Danmaraya forged an affidavit, unlawfully used the High Court’s official stamp and seal, and inserted a fake receipt number — acts that seriously violated judicial ethics and law, especially as he was not authorized as a commissioner for oaths.
The Commission also suspended Alkali Mustapha Kiru of the Sharia Court for one year after discovering procedural violations. Kiru prematurely closed a case over a plaintiff’s failure to produce a witness and subsequently issued a writ of possession on a disputed land. Disturbingly, he allegedly detained the complainant unofficially for three weeks after the complainant challenged the ruling, contravening due process and basic judicial fairness.
On a positive note, Chief Magistrates Mustapha Sa’ad-Datti and Rabi Abdulkadir were reinstated after review, but reminded to maintain high professional and ethical standards in their judicial duties.
The Kano JSC did not stop there. Senior Magistrate Sakina Aminu was formally cautioned for disregarding directives from the Chief Judge by assigning a police prosecutor contrary to judicial guidelines. The Commission emphasized the importance of close cooperation with state counsel and adherence to circulars forbidding police prosecutors from handling court cases to prevent conflicts of interest.
Similarly, Alkali Nasiru Ahmad received a warning for negligence in handling a criminal case, with the JSC stressing that such carelessness could result in miscarriages of justice, undermining public confidence in the legal system.
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission reaffirmed its zero-tolerance stance on judicial misconduct, vowing to ensure transparency, fairness, and professionalism in the judiciary. This recent disciplinary action sends a clear message that abuse of office and dereliction of duty will attract prompt and firm sanctions.
Kano State’s judiciary has been under scrutiny in recent years as citizens increasingly demand accountability and justice. The JSC’s proactive steps highlight ongoing reforms to restore public trust. By disciplining erring officers, the Commission hopes to strengthen judicial processes and enhance the rule of law, which is essential for good governance and socio-economic development in Kano and the wider Nigerian context.
The cases of forgery, misuse of authority, and illegal detentions expose vulnerabilities within the system that the Kano JSC is now determined to address decisively. This aligns with wider efforts across Nigeria to fight corruption and professional misconduct in public institutions.
With ongoing training programs and tighter oversight mechanisms, the Kano judiciary aims to promote a culture of ethical conduct and respect for human rights, ensuring justice is delivered fairly and without bias.