The Niger State Judicial Service Commission has terminated the Magistrate Court judge in Salka, Magama Local Government Area, with immediate effect. The dismissal, announced by the commission’s secretary, Abdulrahman Garafini, in Minna on Wednesday, cites alleged gross misconduct and abuse of judicial power.
Garafini explained that the decision was made at the commission’s 136th meeting on March 21, 2023, following the recommendations of a committee led by Justice Mohammed Mohammed. The committee was established to investigate petitions filed against judges. Of the seven petitions received, three targeted Judge Iya; two were found to be sufficiently proven, and the judge admitted the allegations against him.
The report also implicated Mohamed Bako, who allegedly abandoned his judicial duties to protect a suspect, Saba Idris, from police arrest and court proceedings. Garafini noted that Bako acted as a judge in his own case, using his office to secure personal benefits. Consequently, the NJSC accepted the committee’s recommendations and dismissed Bako with immediate effect.
In addition to the dismissal, the commission demoted two Sharia Court judges for misconduct and abuse of office. The affected officers are Abdullahi Nasiru, Sharia Judge of Kotun Bola, Minna, and his colleague in Badeggi, Mohammed Baba Enagi. Both judges will serve a one‑year tutelage period in other courts.
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