Kano judiciary fires Islamic judge, puts others on hold amid allegations of wrongdoing

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken decisive action against two high-ranking officials, directing a Sharia court judge and the Acting Director of Information and Statistics, Shari’a Court of Appeal, to retire immediately due to findings of bribery and corruption.

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This directive was outlined in a statement released on Tuesday by Baba Jibo Ibrahim, spokesperson for the Kano State Judiciary, which detailed the Commission's decision to hold its officers to the highest standards of integrity.

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The Judiciary Public Complaints Committee had previously found the two officers guilty of bribery and corruption, prompting the Commission to take swift and severe disciplinary measures.

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At its 90th meeting, held on 3rd July, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Judge of Kano State, the Commission carefully considered reports and recommendations from the Establishment Committee and the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee.

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Following thorough deliberation, the Commission approved a range of disciplinary actions aimed at upholding integrity, accountability, and public confidence in the administration of justice, as mandated by its constitutional powers.

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One of the affected officers, Presiding Judge, Shari’a Court, Babeji, Aliyu Muhammad, was directed to proceed on compulsory retirement after the JPCC established allegations of bribery and corruption against him in connection with Suit No. CV/474/2024.

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Furthermore, the Commission ordered Judge Muhammad to refund the sum of ₦250,000, which he had received as gratification in the aforementioned case.

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Court Clerk, Shari’a Court, Babeji, Ibrahim Ibrahim, was suspended without pay for four months after admitting to receiving part of the bribe money in the same case.

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The Commission also directed Acting Director of Information and Statistics, Shari’a Court of Appeal, Muzambilu Ado, to retire immediately due to serious irregularities in his academic credentials, including altered academic records and unauthorized admission to the Nigerian Law School.

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Presiding Judge, Upper Shari’a Court, Goron Dutse, Usman Haruna Usman, was demoted by one grade level for negligence in handling estate property proceeds, which had exposed litigants' funds to potential misappropriation.

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The Commission also ratified Judge Usman's earlier recall from judicial duties for one year and issued a strong warning, emphasizing the importance of upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

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In another case, Case No. CR/172/2022, the Commission issued a strong warning to Presiding Judge, Upper Shari’a Court, Kasuwa, Abdullahi Wayya, for negligence in supervising the bail process, which resulted in the release of the defendant without proper verification of title documents.

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Inspector Shehu Adamu was reported to the Commissioner of Police, Kano State, for investigation and disciplinary action after misleading the court into releasing the defendant on bail without fulfilling all conditions.

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The Commission also directed the JPCC to conduct a thorough investigation into the roles of Registrar, Records, Salmanu Zubairu, and Finance Registrar, Ahmad Kabir, in the handling of bail documents in the same matter.

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The Kano State Judicial Service Commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, and ethical conduct within the Kano State Judiciary.

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The Commission emphasized that judicial officers and court personnel must conduct themselves in a manner that promotes public confidence in the administration of justice and warned that any misconduct, corruption, or abuse of office would attract severe sanctions.