In a significant move to uphold the integrity of the judiciary, the Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the compulsory retirement of a Shari’a Court Judge, Muhammad-Haruna, following allegations of corruption and abuse of power. The decision was made during a recent meeting held in Dutse, where the commission reviewed a petition and found substantial evidence of misconduct against the judicial officer.
According to a statement from the commission’s spokesperson, Abba Wangara, the investigation was triggered by a petition from one Abdullahi Hamza. Reports gathered reveal that the judge was found guilty of extortion after demanding and collecting fees that were not officially recognized under the Jigawa Shari’a Court Civil Procedure Rules. Furthermore, the commission established that the judge had illegally detained the petitioner, an act described as a gross violation of judicial ethics.
The JSC emphasized that this disciplinary action serves as a stern warning to all judicial officers that any form of corruption or abuse of office will be met with severe consequences. The commission reiterated its commitment to sanitizing the legal system and ensuring that justice is administered fairly and in accordance with established laws.
Beyond the disciplinary measures, the commission also approved the promotion of over 80 staff members across various departments. This move is aimed at boosting morale and rewarding excellence within the workforce. Alongside these promotions, several senior appointments were made to key positions within the State Shari’a Court of Appeal to strengthen administrative and litigation processes.
Among the newly appointed officials are Aliyu Muhammad, who takes over as Deputy Chief Registrar I for Administration, and Abdulrashid Alhassan, named Deputy Chief Registrar II for Litigation. Other appointments include Isma’il Sani as Chief Inspector of Shari’a Courts, Umar Malam as Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Muhammad Lawan as Director of Personnel Management, and Kabiru Isyaku as Deputy Chief Inspector.
The commission assured the public that it will continue to monitor the conduct of its personnel to ensure they perform their duties with the highest level of professionalism and transparency.
