Niger Judiciary Sacks Judge, Demotes 2 Others Over Misconduct, Abuse Of Office

The Niger State Judicial Service Commission (NJSC) has sacked from service the Magistrate Court judge in Salka, Magama local government of the state, Mohammed Bako Iya with immediate effect, over alleged gross misconduct and abuse of judicial power.

The NJSC also demoted by one grade level, two sharia court judges over misconduct and abuse of office.

The affected judicial officers are Abdullahi Nasiru, the Sharia Judge of Kotun Bola Minna and his colleague in Badeggi, Mohammed Baba Enagi.

The Secretary of the Commission, Abdulrahman Ahmed Garafini made this disclosure at a press briefing in Minna.

He said the decision was taken at the Commission’s 136th meeting on 21st March 2023, after consideration of the recommendations of the Justice Mohammed Mohammed-led committee set up to look into petitions against the judges.

The NJSC Secretary revealed that the two Sharia court judges, Abdullahi Nasiru Mohammed Baba Enagi are also to serve a tutelage of one year in other courts.

He also announced that out of seven petitions, three were against the dismissed judge, Mohammed Bako Iya’. Two were sufficiently proven by the petitioners and the judge unequivocally admitted the allegations brought against him.

Garafini noted that the report indicted Mohamed Bako for practically setting aside his judicial duties by representing and shielding a suspect, Saba Idris from arrest by police and court.

The secretary revealed that he was also indicted in a second petition over the alleged use of the power of his office to intimidate and collect the sum of N400,000 from Fulani Herders whose cattle destroyed his beans farm

” It was further discovered that Mohammed Bako was a judge in his own case and used the instrument of his office to facilitate a gainful benefit for his personal interest and private affairs, hence, the NJSC approved the committee’s recommendations and dismissed the respondent with immediate effect,”.Garafini added.