The Kwara State Judicial Service Commission has dismissed two court registrars and demoted a magistrate over cases of gross misconduct and negligence. The commission declared 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 approved the immediate implementation of cash-backing for staff promotions due in January 2025, July 2025, and January 2026. Financial implementation will take effect this month, July 2026. “This decision underscores the commitment of the Commission to staff welfare and timely career progression,” the statement said.
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 allegedly collect N200,000 from the defendant’s relatives and arrange proxy sureties, leading to the fraudulent release of the suspect.
The commission stated that the defendant later absconded, resulting in repeated adjournments before the magistrate eventually terminated the case without due process. “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. The commission said 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.
In another 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. 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 signed the certificate without authority.
The commission said Philips admitted to some allegations before the investigative committee on July 1, 2026. However, testimonies from court staff and documentary evidence confirmed a pattern of demanding and collecting money from litigants and lawyers before releasing court orders and judgments. The commission found him guilty of serious misconduct and unethical behaviour.
Reaffirming its commitment to discipline, the commission warned judicial workers against corruption. “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 disciplinary actions, the commission confirmed Mr Shola Ayenigba as the substantive Chief Accountant of the Judicial Service Commission after serving in an acting capacity. It also approved the transfer of Magistrate Nimat Abdulrazaq from the Kwara State Judiciary to the Federal Judicial Service Commission, Abuja. The commission congratulated promoted and confirmed officers and urged staff to remain committed to justice, transparency, and accountability.