The reason behind the sanction of three Sharia Court judges and sacking of the three judicial officer by the Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission, JSC, has emerged.
According to sources, the three judicial officers were sacked for misconduct. While the Commission also advised three Sharia Court judges to resign and another two officers were reprimanded for dereliction of duty.
The disciplinary action was contained in a statement issued by the Director of Protocol and Publicity at Jigawa State Judiciary, Abbas Wangara, in Dutse on Sunday.
According to Wangara, the Commission, at its 178th meeting held on January 7, approved the disciplinary actions against erring personnel for violating judicial procedures and rules.
The statement read, “In the outcome of the meeting signed by Auwalu Dan’Azumi, Secretary of the JSC, the commission received the report of an investigation committee from the High Court department in respect of two officers.
“The affected officers are Iyal Ibrahim, Higher Registrar on Grade Level 08, and Baffa Alhaji, Principal Registrar on Grade Level 14.
“The two officers were found guilty of illegal sales of two vehicles, exhibits of the Federal High Court, Dutse, and committed an official misconduct punishable under Rule 5 (4) & (6) of the Jigawa State Judiciary Scheme of Service 2006.
“Also, the Commission resolved that the service of the two officers be terminated in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. 20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012.”
Wangara stated that the Commission received a report from the High Court department regarding Abdu Aujara, a chief clerical officer, for suppressing N965,000, being a litigant’s deposit in a recovery case filed by Ja’iz Bank before the Chief Magistrates Court in Jahun.
He stated that the JSC terminated the officer’s appointment in accordance with Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State 2012.
“Also, the Commission deliberated on the report of the Judiciary Public Complaint Committee (JPCC) in respect of Adamu Farin-Dutse, a Shari’a Court judge accused of abusing judicial powers and misapplication of the law. Adding that the officer had been warned several times in that regard.
“After careful deliberations, the Commission found the officer liable for official misconduct in accordance with the provision of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service.
“Therefore, the Commission resolved to write to the officer and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks. As provided by Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012,” he said.
The Commission also deliberated on the report of the JSPCC on official misconduct regarding another Shari’a Court judge, Muhammad Usman. Who allegedly abused power by issuing a writ of possession before delivering judgment.
According to Wangara, the action shows that judicial functions were conducted without following due process in violation of Section 5.4 of the Judiciary Scheme of Service, 2006.
Wangara noted that the Commission advised the judge to tender his resignation letter from the service in accordance with the provision of Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012.
Similarly, the Commission deliberated on the JPCC report in respect of Usman Zubair, another Shari’a Court judge who allegedly abused judicial powers.
According to him, the judge allegedly abused judicial powers by refusing to adjudicate properly on matters of distribution of inheritance shares to the legal heirs. And he allowed another person who was not party to the substantive matter to benefit.
“The Commission also found that the officer had been warned for irregularities in both his civil and criminal proceedings.
“It resolved to write to Usman Usman Zubair and advise him to tender a resignation letter from service within two weeks.”
Also, the Commission issued a warning letter to the resident magistrate, Munnir Abdullahi. He was accused of converting a civil matter to a criminal matter by allowing himself to be partisan in the case.
Wangara stated that the warning was given under Section 41 of the Judicial Service Commission Law, Cap. J20 Laws of Jigawa State, 2012.
According to him, the Commission further warned another magistrate, Yakubu Ibrahim, for abuse of power by insulting and uttering derogatory words to a litigant when she appeared before him at Chief Magistrate Court Maigatari.
Wangara stated that disciplinary exercise is part of the Commission’s effort to ensure a corrupt-free judiciary. And also to maintain a high level of performance, discipline, and professionalism.
He reiterated the Commission’s commitment to ensuring a fair and supportive working environment for all judicial employees.
Wangara, therefore, assured that the Commission would continue to take necessary disciplinary actions to maintain standards in the judiciary.
source: NAN
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