Kogi JSC fires Judge over misconduct

• Suspends another, clears four others

The Kogi State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has fired a judge of the Area Court, Alemeru Adekunle Bamidele, for misconduct.

Bamidele was ordered to go on compulsory retirement after he was found guilty of acquiring a property under litigation before his court, following an order he issued for its sale, and failing to pay in full for the property.

The commission also suspended Magistrate Tanimu U. Muhammed for two years with a formal warning.

These decisions were reached during the Commission’s 136th meeting held in Lokoja, the state capital.

According to a statement from the JSC Secretary, Tanko Muhammed, the Commission also cleared four other judicial officers—Magistrate Abdul Musa Mopah, Yunusa Medugu, Deborah O. Ebiloma, and Anuhi Safiya Oiza — of various allegations after thorough investigations.

Tanko Muhammed explained that the disciplinary committee found Judge Bamidele guilty of acquiring a property under litigation before his court, following an order he issued for its sale, and failing to pay in full for the property.

He was also found to have issued a court order without granting both parties a hearing.The committee that investigated the allegations was led by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Abdullah.

As part of efforts to reform the judiciary, the Commission also set up a six-member committee to review and recommend improvements to the welfare of magistrates and area court judges in the state.

This development comes shortly after the National Judicial Council (NJC), during its 108th meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, suspended three judicial officers, including a Court of Appeal justice, for one year without pay due to various misconducts.