Kano CJ Transfers Magistrate To Library Over Alleged Corruption

The Chief Judge of Kano State, Nura Sagir, has ordered the transfer of Aminu Usman, aka Dino, the presiding magistrate of Court 34, Rijiyar Zaki over alleged corruption, According to DAILY NIGERIAN reports.

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered that the magistrate was removed and posted to the Library of the High Court, following many petitions received against him by the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

Credible sources in the state judiciary who spoke on condition of anonymity said the anti-graft agency requested the permission of the Chief Judge who is the chairman of the Judicial Service Commission to investigate the allegations of corruption levelled against the magistrate.

“This is a good development. It is good that the CJ has suspended him. This will allow the state Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission investigate him without causing embarrassment to judiciary by arresting a judge,” a top official at the judiciary told DAILY NIGERIAN.

“To sanitize the system, the judiciary and the state anti-corruption commission need to work hand-in-hand in harmony.”

DAILY NIGERIAN gathered the state anti-graft agency had also received petitions against at least six magistrates in the state.

Baba-Jibo Ibrahim, spokesman of the Kano State High Court of Justice, confirmed the transfer of the magistrate but said he was not assigned portfolio yet.

“He was not sacked but transferred from his court to the headquarters. He is now there without portfolio.

“Sometimes if petitions are filed against a judge, the office of the chief registrar can, as a way of punishment, transfer him or her to the headquarters and remain there without portfolio,” Mr Ibrahim said.

The chairman of the state anti-graft agency, Muhuyi Magaji, could not be reached for comment at the time of filing in this report.