Kwara judiciary sacks two registrars, demotes magistrate

The Kwara State Judicial Service Commission has dismissed two court registrars and demoted a magistrate 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. The resolutions were reached at the commission’s meeting held on Wednesday. This was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Media and Information Officer of the Kwara State High Court of Justice, Aliu Ahmad. According to the statement, the commission also approved the implementation of cash backing for staff promotions, confirmed a senior appointment, and approved a transfer of service. 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. “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 partly read. The commission also approved disciplinary measures against three judicial officers after reviewing several cases in line with the Public Service Rules. Among those sanctioned was Magistrate Imam A.A., who was demoted from Grade Level 13 to Grade Level 12 for negligence in handling a culpable homicide case. The commission said 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. It 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. The JSC also dismissed Mr Saadullahi Shuaib, a Grade Level 10 officer and former registrar attached to Magistrate Imam at the Chief Magistrate Court, Sango, for gross misconduct. According to the commission, 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. In another disciplinary case, the commission dismissed Mr 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. 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 further stated. Reaffirming its commitment to discipline within the judiciary, the commission 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. Beyond the disciplinary actions, the commission confirmed Mr Shola Ayenigba as the substantive Chief Accountant of the Judicial Service Commission after he had served in an acting capacity for several months. It also 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. The commission congratulated all promoted and confirmed officers and urged members of staff to remain committed to justice, transparency and accountability. “The Judiciary remains dedicated to a fair, efficient, and corruption-free justice delivery system in Kwara State,” the statement added.