One Judge dismissed, two others demoted in Niger

The Niger Judicial Service Commission has dismissed the Magistrate Court Judge in Magama local government area, Mohammed Bako Iya, and demoted two Sharia Court Judges, Abdullahi Nasiru and Mohammed Baba Enagi

Iya was dismissed for gross misconduct and abuse of judicial power while the other Sharia Court Judges in Minna and Badeggi were demoted for misconduct and abuse of office and they are to also serve a one-year tutelage in other courts.

The Secretary of the commission, Abdulrahman Ahmed Garafini, who made the announcement said that the Judicial Service Commission had the recommendations of the committee set up to investigate the petitions against the judge and dismissed Justice Mohammed Bako with immediate effect.

Garafini said that the decisions of dismissal and demotions against the judges were taken at the 136th meeting on March, 21.

“The Niger state Judicial Service Commission received seven petitions, out of which three were against the dismissed judge and two of the three were sufficiently proved by the petitioners,” he said.

The allegations against the dismissed Judge include representing and shielding a suspect, Saba Idris from arrest by police and court and using the power of his office to intimidate and collect N400,000 from herders whose cattle destroyed his beans farm.

The Committee led by Justice Mohammed Mohammed discovered that Mohammed Bako was the Judge in his case and used the instrument of his office to facilitate gainful benefit for his personal interest and private affairs.