Kano retires Sharia judge, director over bribery, certificate fraud

The Kano State Judicial Service Commission has taken decisive disciplinary action, mandating the compulsory retirement of a Sharia court judge and an acting director. Judge Aliyu Muhammad and Acting Director Muzambilu Ado were found to have engaged in serious misconduct, including bribery and academic credential fraud, respectively.

Judge Muhammad, Presiding Judge of the Shari'a Court in Babeji, was found guilty of bribery and corruption in connection with a specific lawsuit. The commission not only ordered his compulsory retirement but also directed him to refund N250,000 received as gratification. Additionally, a court clerk involved in the case, Ibrahim Ahmad Ibrahim, received a four-month suspension without pay after admitting to receiving part of the bribe money.

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The Kano State Judicial Service Commission, at its 90th meeting held on 3rd July, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Judge of Kano State, considered reports and recommendations of the Establishment Committee and the Judiciary Public Complaints Committee on petitions and disciplinary matters involving Sharia Court Judges and staff of the Kano State Judiciary.

Separately, Muzambilu Ado, the Acting Director of Information and Statistics at the Shari’a Court of Appeal, was also directed to retire compulsorily. The committee established serious irregularities with his academic credentials, including alterations to his records and irregular admission to the Nigerian Law School without proper commission approval.

The commission also imposed disciplinary measures on other judicial staff. Presiding Judge Usman Haruna of the Upper Shari’a Court, Goron Dutse, was demoted by one Grade Level for negligence in permitting estate sale proceeds to be paid into a court official's personal account. Presiding Judge Abdullahi Wayya of the Upper Shari’a Court, Kasuwa, received a strong warning for his handling of bail in a criminal case. These actions underscore the commission's commitment to upholding integrity and accountability within the judiciary.

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After careful deliberation, the commission approved a number of disciplinary measures in line with its constitutional mandate to uphold integrity, accountability and public confidence in the administration of justice.