Kano, Nigeria — The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dismissed a court clerk and demoted two senior judicial officers over offences ranging from forgery and falsification of records to financial impropriety.
In a statement by the Judiciary’s spokesperson, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, the Commission said the sanctions followed findings and recommendations of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which investigated petitions against several personnel. The decisions were reached at the Commission’s 86th meeting on October 30, 2025.
The JSC dismissed Ibrahim Salim, a clerk with the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, for forgery, falsification of court records, and demanding bribes from litigants, describing his actions as gross misconduct.
It demoted Alkali Shamsu Maul’ainaini, presiding judge of the Upper Shari’a Court, Durbunde, to the registrar cadre by one grade level and relieved him of judicial duties for financial impropriety, removing court records, and breaching a 2021 circular on territorial jurisdiction. He also received a strong warning.
Similarly, Isa Yuguda Wudilawa, a principal registrar at the Magistrate Court, Zungeru Complex, was demoted from Grade Level 12 to Grade Level 10 for collecting official funds into his personal account, in violation of financial procedures and public service ethics. The action was taken under Section 04305 of the Kano State Civil Service Rules and Regulation 41(d) of the Kano State Judicial Service Regulations (1980).
Other disciplinary measures include a strong warning to Alkali Ibrahim Isah Usman, presiding judge of Bebeji Shari’a Court, for executing judgment before the statutory 30-day appeal window expired, with his promotion deferred for one year. His Worship Halima A. B. Wali received a strong warning to ensure strict legal compliance in her judgments, while His Worship Abdul’aziz M. Habib was placed on half salary for three months and warned for entertaining matters contrary to official circulars.
The Commission commended Alkali Ali Jibrin Danzaki, presiding judge of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, for exposing and reporting his clerk’s misconduct, issuing him a formal commendation letter.
In a separate finding, the JSC condemned Alkali Munzali Tanko (Rtd.), formerly of the Upper Shari’a Court, Post Office, for conducting proceedings nine days after retirement, calling it unethical and ordering that his actions be made public as a deterrent.
Reaffirming a zero-tolerance stance, the Commission said misconduct “at any level” will attract appropriate sanctions to uphold discipline, transparency and ethical standards within the Kano judiciary.
