Kogi State Judicial Service Commission has removed a judge from office and suspended a magistrate following findings of misconduct during its latest meeting in Lokoja.
Justice Alemeru Adekunle Bamidele, who presided over matters at the Area Court, has been compulsorily retired after the Commission found him guilty of unethical actions involving a property under his judicial purview.
According to the statement released on Thursday by the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Tanko Muhammed, the disciplinary measures were reached during the Commission’s 136th sitting.
Magistrate Tanimu U. Muhammed was also handed a two-year suspension from courtroom duties. Along with the suspension, he received a formal warning letter. The Commission did not reveal further details regarding the nature of Magistrate Muhammed’s misconduct.
Dr. Muhammed noted that a disciplinary panel within the Commission first reviewed all allegations against the judicial officers. “The allegations against the officers were first investigated by the Commission’s Disciplinary Committee, which made appropriate recommendations to the JSC,” he stated.
Justice Bamidele’s case stood out. He was found to have personally acquired a building that was the subject of a legal dispute in his court. After issuing an order for the building to be sold, he then bought the property himself but failed to pay the full purchase amount. Moreover, he was found to have ruled on the matter without hearing from both sides—a serious violation of judicial procedure.
Four other legal officers—Magistrate Abdul Musa Mopah, Mr. Yunusa Medugu, Deborah O. Ebiloma Esq., and Anuhi Safiya Oiza—were cleared of wrongdoing after the same disciplinary process. The Commission found no evidence to support the allegations made against them.
I a move toward reform, the Commission also announced the creation of a special committee to explore ways to improve the working conditions of magistrates and Area Court judges in the state. Dr. Muhammed revealed that the six-person committee would be chaired by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Abdullah.
