The Jigawa State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has approved the compulsory retirement of Sharia court judge, Sadisu Muhammad-Haruna, following findings of misconduct, including corruption and illegal detention. The decision was announced on Tuesday after a meeting in Dutse.
According to the commission, the action followed a thorough review of a petition submitted by Abdullahi Hamza and corroborating evidence. Investigations revealed that Muhammad-Haruna demanded and collected fees from the petitioner that were not provided for under the schedule of court fees outlined in the Jigawa Shari’a Court Civil Procedure Rules (2012). The commission described this act of extortion, coupled with the illegal detention of the petitioner, as a gross violation of judicial ethics and an abuse of office.
“This act of extortion, followed by the illegal detention of the petitioner, was deemed a gross violation of judicial ethics and an abuse of office,” the JSC stated, adding that the compulsory retirement serves as a warning that corruption or abuse of power by judicial officers will not be tolerated.
In addition to the retirement, the commission approved the promotion of over 80 staff members across various categories, aimed at boosting morale and rewarding excellence. The JSC also appointed several senior staff to key positions within the state Shari’a Court of Appeal, including Aliyu Muhammad as Deputy Chief Registrar (I, Administration), Abdulrashid Alhassan as Deputy Chief Registrar (II, Litigation), 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 of its continued efforts to sanitize the judicial system and ensure that officers and staff carry out their duties in accordance with the law and established regulations.
