Kano Judicial Service Commission Demotes Shari’a Judge Over Financial Misconduct

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has announced the demotion of an Upper Shari’a Court Judge, Shamsu Maul’ainaini, after he was found guilty of financial impropriety and gross misconduct in the handling of a case brought before his court.

The decision followed a thorough investigation and recommendation by the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee (JPCC), which uncovered multiple breaches of judicial ethics and professional standards by the embattled judge. In a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson of the Kano State Judiciary, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, the commission said Maul’ainaini was found to have tampered with court records and acted outside his judicial jurisdiction. Consequently, he was demoted from the rank of an Upper Shari’a Court Judge to a lower cadre in the registry and issued a stern warning. The Commission adopted the recommendation of the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee, which found the judge guilty of misconduct and financial mismanagement. He has been demoted accordingly and warned against future violations,” the statement read. The disciplinary actions did not end with Maul’ainaini. The JSC also approved the dismissal of a court clerk over allegations of forgery, falsification of records, and extortion of money from litigants. Similarly, a principal registrar was demoted for diverting official funds, while another presiding judge received a strong warning and had his promotion withheld for prematurely executing a court judgment before the 30-day statutory appeal period elapsed. According to the commission, these measures form part of ongoing reforms to uphold integrity, accountability, and discipline within the state’s judicial system. The Commission will not hesitate to sanction any judicial officer or staff found to be compromising the integrity of the justice system. Such actions are taken to preserve public trust and ensure transparency in judicial administration,” the statement added Legal observers have commended the move as a bold step toward cleaning up the judiciary and restoring public confidence in the administration of justice in Kano State. The commission has, however, not confirmed whether Maul’ainaini or any of the sanctioned officials will face criminal prosecution following the internal disciplinary actions