Muzambilu Ado, a former acting Director of Information and Statistics at the Kano State Shari’a Court of Appeal, has filed a lawsuit against the Kano State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) at the National Industrial Court. Ado is seeking N100 million in damages following his forced retirement, which he claims has destroyed his professional reputation.
The JSC issued the retirement order on July 6, citing purported discrepancies in Ado’s academic files, specifically regarding an alleged forged HND certificate and unauthorized enrollment in the Nigerian Law School. Ado vehemently denies these accusations. He maintains that he entered the service in 2006 using a Diploma from Kaduna Polytechnic and never submitted an HND certificate. Regarding his legal education, he asserts that his LLB from Imperial University College in Sudan is legitimate, explaining that he transferred there from a university in Niger to facilitate his Bar Part I admission.
Ado further contends that he was denied due process, as he never received a formal query or a copy of the initial petition against him. He also pointed out that other staff members were granted permission to attend law school, whereas his own request was neither approved nor denied. Additionally, he is contesting his expulsion from the Nigerian Law School.
Kano Judiciary spokesperson Baba Jibo Ibrahim noted that the matter is sub judice and declined to provide specifics. However, Ibrahim highlighted that the investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by Sani Manzo. He further alleged that the verification letter Ado produced from his university appeared suspicious, noting that the Nigerian Law School was unable to contact the institution via email during its own verification attempts. The commission maintains its stance and is prepared for legal proceedings.
