The Kwara State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has taken disciplinary action against three High Court staff members following investigations into alleged violations of civil service procedures and rules.
According to a statement issued by the Media and Information Unit of the commission, the JSC dismissed a Grade Level 10 officer and demoted two Grade Level 12 officers for alleged physical altercations and gross misconduct.
Mrs. Bello Fareeda Mopelola was dismissed from service with immediate effect, while Mr. Sambo Aliyu Rani and Mrs. Rahmat Jaji were both demoted from Principal Administrative Officer I (GL.12) to Principal Administrative Officer II (GL.10), effective January 1, 2025.
As part of the disciplinary action, Mrs. Bello Fareeda was also ordered to pay ₦1,461,900.40 (One Million, Four Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Nine Hundred Naira and Forty Kobo) into the High Court of Justice account. This amount represents the total salaries and emoluments she allegedly drew illegally from the Kwara State Judiciary between June 13, 2023, and September 30, 2024.
The JSC found Mr. Sambo Aliyu Rani involved in a quarrel with a colleague, Mr. Lawal Oredola Rafiu, over the JUSUN election, in which Sambo’s brother was contesting for the chairmanship position. The altercation escalated to the point where Mr. Sambo allegedly attempted to hit Mr. Lawal with his car within the High Court premises—behavior the commission deemed unruly and punishable under Civil Service Rule 04201.
Similarly, the commission found Mrs. Rahmat Jaji guilty of engaging in a physical altercation with her colleague, Bamigboye Aderonke, within the court premises. Investigations revealed that Rahmat attacked Aderonke over a comment regarding Mr. Sambo Aliyu Rani. The JSC viewed this as a serious breach of discipline, especially considering Mrs. Rahmat Jaji’s senior position, which requires a high level of professionalism and leadership by example.
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Although the commission considered dismissing both Mr. Sambo Aliyu Rani and Mrs. Rahmat Jaji, it ultimately imposed lesser penalties on compassionate grounds. Their demotions align with the Judicial Service Commission Regulation 43(d) and serve as a disciplinary measure for their gross misconduct.
However, Mrs. Bello Fareeda Mopelola’s case involved more severe misconduct. She was found guilty of accepting an appointment as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Speaker of the House of Representatives while still employed by the Kwara State Judiciary, resulting in her drawing salaries simultaneously from both state and federal establishments.
Additionally, Mrs. Fareeda absconded from her duty post at Hon. Justice F. D. Lawal’s court without leave, violating Regulation 42(1) of the Judicial Service Commission Regulation 1980. She also submitted a resignation letter on November 7, 2024, while disciplinary action against her for fighting on duty and absconding was still pending. However, her resignation was not approved.
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