Kano Chief Magistrate, Talatu Makama Suspended For Misconduct Involving Frozen Bank Account
The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has indefinitely suspended Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama for allegedly ordering the transfer of funds from a frozen bank account into her personal account.
The JSC also sanctioned Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of the State High Court for separate misconducts.
In an official statement released on Monday, JSC spokesperson Baba Jibo-Ibrahim detailed the disciplinary actions decided at the commission’s 72nd meeting on June 11, 2024.
“The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken disciplinary actions against Chief Magistrate Talatu Makama of Magistrate Court No 29, Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir of Magistrate Court No 48, and Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir of the Appeals section, High Court Kano,” the statement read.
Makama was found guilty of gross misconduct after the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC) investigated three petitions against her. The investigation revealed that she ordered Guaranty Trust Bank to transfer funds from a petitioner’s frozen account into her personal account, an action she admitted to in her response.
Additionally, the JPCC found evidence of judicial bias and misconduct in other cases handled by Makama, leading to her indefinite suspension.
Senior Magistrate Rabi Abdulkadir was suspended for one year for judicial recklessness in handling a case between the Commissioner of Police and Abubakar Salisu. The JSC found her actions constituted significant misconduct.
The commission also addressed allegations against Senior Registrar Abdu Nasir, who was found to have received court fees into his personal account. Nasir received a strong warning, and his promotion was deferred for one year.
At its 73rd meeting on June 20, 2024, the JSC also reviewed petitions against Chief Magistrate Tijjani Saleh Minjibir of Court No 60. Finding his responses unsatisfactory, the commission suspended Minjibir for one year due to serious misconduct and judicial recklessness.
“The commission will continue to apply appropriate sanctions against any erring staff, particularly those with judicial responsibilities, to safeguard the integrity and accountability of the judicial system and maintain public confidence,” Jibo-Ibrahim stated.
These actions underscore the JSC’s commitment to maintaining high standards of judicial conduct and ensuring the integrity of the legal system.
