Chief Magistrate suspended for slapping lawyer, two others in Kebbi

 

A Kebbi High Court has set up an administrative panel to investigate allegations of misconduct against two Chief Magistrates in the state.

Umar Salihu-Kokami, a Chief Magistrate, was said to have slapped a lawyer and two other persons, while the other, Mustapha Umar-Maccido, was alleged to have absconded from duty.

Hussaini Abdullahi-Zuru, Chief Registrar, Kebbi High Court, in a statement issued on Friday, explained that Salihu-Kokami had been moved to headquarters while Umar-Maccido would proceed on suspension.

“Chief Magistrate Mustapha Umar-Maccido was reasonably suspected of having absconded from his duty post, Chief Magistrates Court, Kalgo, since Sept. 2022, after the expiration of his two weeks casual leave,” the statement read in part.

The statement added that he was alleged to have been in private practice in other jurisdictions even though he is a serving Chief Magistrate.

Accordingly, the statement said that he has been suspended pending an Administrative Committee’s report to investigate the matter, stressing that Salihu-Kokani of Chief Magistrates’ Court III, Birnin Kebbi, was recalled to the headquarters for judicial misconduct.

It stated that there was an allegation of gross and judicial misconduct against him by the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, saying that on 12th September 2022, he slapped a State Counsel, Abdullahi Bawa Dan Bauchi, and two other persons.

The statement pointed out that the act took place at the premises of Chief Magistrate Court I, Birnin Kebbi, stressing that he was assigned to take over a case against some Ministry of High Education staff.