Kano Judicial Commission suspends Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama for illegally withdrawing money from frozen account, sanctions 3 others over misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, has taken disciplinary actions against three magistrates and a registrar of the state High Court over misconduct.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Spokesman of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo-Ibrahim, on Monday in Kano.

“The Judicial Service Commission at its 72nd meeting held on June 11, 2024, considered petitions against the three magistrates and one registrar in the state.

“The magistrates are: Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir, Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir.

“These disciplinary actions underscore the Judicial Service Commission’s commitment to maintaining highest standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system,” Mr Jibo-Ibrahim said.

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The statement said that investigation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee in respect of three petitions filed against Mrs Makama found her guilty of misconduct.

According to the statement, the investigation revealed that she made an order to GT Bank to transfer money in a petitioner’s account already frozen, into her personal account, and which she clearly admitted in her response.

It said the second petition also found elements amounting to judicial bias in her handling of matters.

According to the statement, in the third petition, she was found to have received a case and made order to the police even before the case was assigned to her.

“The commission subsequently held that Chief Magistrate Talatu, be recalled from the bench and relieved of all judicial duties effective immediately,” Mr Jibo-Ibrahim said.

He said that the commission also indicted Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir of judicial recklessness.

The commission has resolved to recall the magistrate and relieve her of judicial duties for a period of one calendar year and has instructed her to cease all duties at Magistrate Court No. 48,” Mr Jibo-Ibrahim said.

He further said that investigation revealed that Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir received payments of fees meant for court records into his personal account, which constitutes serious misconduct.

“The commission issued a strong warning to Nasir and also deferred his promotion for one year,” the spokesman said.

The statement added that the Commission also at its 73rd meeting, deliberated on the petitions received against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh-Minjibir.

“The response to the queries issued were found unsatisfactory and the commission viewed the actions of the magistrate amount to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness.

“Saleh-Minjibir is recalled from judicial duties for a period of one year, effective immediately, and is ceased of all judicial activities,” Jibo-Ibrahim said.

He said that the suspended magistrate was to report to the state High Court for posting

The statement said the commission will continue to apply the appropriate sanctions against any erring staff particularly those saddled with judicial responsibilities.

It said the measures was to safe guard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain the confidence of the public.