The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has dismissed a court clerk and demoted two judicial officers over allegations of gross misconduct.
The affected officials are Salim Umar, Clerk of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo; Alkali Shamsu Maul’ainaini, Presiding Judge of the Upper Shari’a Court, Durbunde; and Isa Yuguda Wudilawa, Principal Registrar with the Magistrate Court, Zungeru Complex.
In a statement on Thursday, the Commission’s spokesperson, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, said the disciplinary actions followed recommendations by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which investigated petitions and complaints against the officials.
According to Ibrahim, Umar was dismissed for forgery, falsification of court records, and demanding bribes from litigants, while Maul’ainaini and Wudilawa were demoted for financial impropriety.
“The Kano State Judicial Service Commission, at its 86th meeting held on October 30, 2025, approved several disciplinary and administrative measures to uphold integrity, discipline, and accountability within the judiciary,” the statement read.
The Commission found that Wudilawa had collected official funds into his personal account, violating financial procedures and public service ethics. He was demoted from Grade Level 12 to Grade Level 10 in line with the Kano State Civil Service Rules.
Similarly, Maul’ainaini was found guilty of financial misconduct and removed from judicial duties. He was demoted to the registrar cadre by one grade level and warned for removing court records and acting contrary to Circular No. 2 of 2021 on territorial jurisdiction.
The Commission also sanctioned other officers, including Alkali Ibrahim Isah Usman, Presiding Judge of Bebeji Shari’a Court, who was warned and had his promotion deferred for one year for executing a judgment before the expiration of the statutory appeal period.
The statement added that the Commission commended Alkali Ali Jibrin Danzaki, Presiding Judge of the Upper Shari’a Court, Rijiyar Lemo, for his integrity and courage in exposing his clerk’s misconduct. He was issued a commendation letter for exemplary conduct.
In another case, the Commission condemned the actions of retired judge Alkali Munzali Tanko, formerly of the Upper Shari’a Court, Post Office, who conducted judicial proceedings nine days after his retirement, describing his conduct as unethical and shameful.
Magistrate Halima A. B. Wali was also strongly warned to ensure her rulings comply with the law, while Magistrate Abdul’aziz M. Habib was placed on half salary for three months for entertaining matters in disregard of official circulars.
The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining transparency, discipline, and ethical standards in the judiciary, warning that misconduct at any level would not be tolerated.
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