The Kwara State Judicial Service Commission has demoted a magistrate A.A Imam and dismissed two court registrars over cases of gross misconduct and negligence, declaring that corruption and the compromise of judicial processes will not be tolerated in the state’s judiciary.
Penpushing reports that the Media and Information Officer of the Kwara State High Court of Justice, Aliu Ahmad in the statement explained that the resolutions were reached at the commission’s meeting held on Wednesday.
The statement stated that the commission also approved the implementation of cash backing for staff promotions, confirmed a senior appointment, and approved a transfer of service.
Penpushing further reports that the commission said it approved the immediate implementation of cash-backing for staff promotions due in January 2025, July 2025 and January 2026, with financial implementation taking effect this month.
“The Commission approved the immediate implementation of cash-backing for the promotion of staff due for elevation between January 2025, July 2025 and January 2026’, Ahmad emphasised.
“The approved cash-backing will take effect this month, July 2026. This decision underscores the commitment of the Commission to staff welfare and timely career progression,” the statement read.
Penpushing also reports that the commission equally approved disciplinary measures against three judicial officers after reviewing several cases in line with the Public Service Rules, explaining that the magistrate was demoted from Grade Level 13 to Grade Level 12 for negligence in handling a culpable homicide case.
The statement added that the magistrate failed to properly supervise the bail perfection process, allowing his registrar to compromise the procedure after allegedly collecting N200,000 from the defendant’s relatives and arranging proxy sureties, leading to the fraudulent release of the suspect.
Penpushing reports that the statement stated that the defendant later absconded, resulting in repeated adjournments before the magistrate eventually terminated the case without due process.
The commission added that the matter took a more serious dimension after the same defendant was allegedly involved in another murder, prompting the Kwara State Commissioner of Police to petition the commission.
“Following the defendant’s alleged commission of another murder, a petition was lodged by the State Commissioner of Police. A Committee set up by the Commission found the Magistrate culpable of negligence in supervisory oversight,” the statement added.
Penpushing further reports that Saadullahi Shuaib collected money from the defendant’s relatives for bail perfection, shared part of the proceeds with colleagues and failed to conduct the mandatory scrutiny of sureties in collaboration with the court orderly.
“Mr Saadullahi Shuaib… was dismissed from the service for gross misconduct. He was found to have collected money from the defendant’s relatives for bail perfection, shared part of the proceeds with colleagues, and failed to conduct the mandatory scrutiny of sureties, in collaboration with the court’s orderly,” the statement added.
Penpushing also reports that in a related development, disciplinary case, the commission dismissed Bisade Adebarade Philips, a registrar attached to Justice Oluwatosin Adeniyi, following petitions by litigants and legal practitioners alleging repeated unethical practices.
The commission said investigations revealed that Philips collected N12,000 instead of the official N2,700 fee for issuing a divorce certificate on June 26, 2026, bypassed the Kwara State Internal Revenue Service payment process and appended his signature to the certificate without the authority to do so.
Penpushing reports that it added that although Philips admitted some of the allegations during his appearance before the investigative committee on July 1, 2026, witness testimonies and documentary evidence established a pattern of extortion.
“Testimonies from the Secretary, Clerk and Legal Researcher of the Court, along with other supporting evidence, confirmed a pattern of demanding and collecting money from litigants and lawyers before releasing court orders and judgments. The Commission, after careful evaluation, found him guilty of serious misconduct and unethical behaviour’, the statement stated.
Penushing further reports that the commission reaffirming its commitment to discipline within the judiciary, however, warned judicial workers against unethical conduct.
“The Commission reiterates that it will not tolerate any form of corruption, negligence, or compromise of judicial processes. All staff are reminded to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism,” it stated.
Penpushing also reports that beyond the disciplinary actions, the commission confirmed Shola Ayenigba as the substantive Chief Accountant of the Judicial Service Commission after he had served in an acting capacity for several months.
The commission approved the transfer of Magistrate Nimat Abdulrazaq from the Kwara State Judiciary to the Federal Judicial Service Commission, Abuja, after the completion of the necessary administrative procedures.
Penpushing reports that the commission congratulated all promoted and confirmed officers and urged members of staff to remain committed to justice, transparency and accountability., stressing that the judiciary remains dedicated to a fair, efficient, and corruption-free justice delivery system in Kwara State.
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