Upholding judicial independence, transparency in appointments, and excellence in justice delivery across the Katsina State judiciary.
Years of Service
Judicial Personnel
Court Tiers
Constitutional body under Section 197 of the 1999 Constitution, safeguarding judicial integrity, appointments, and discipline in Katsina State.
Membership comprises two legal practitioners with 10+ years experience, and two persons of unquestionable integrity.
The Commission advises the National Judicial Council on suitable persons for nomination to judicial offices including Chief Judge, Grand Kadi, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Judges of High Court, Sharia & Customary Courts. It recommends removal from office, and exercises disciplinary control over Chief Registrar, Magistrates, and all judicial service staff.
"The Governor with newly appointed High Court judges — strengthening judicial capacity for speedy dispensation of justice."
— His Excellency Malam Dikko Umar Radda PhD, Governor of Katsina State
Distinguished jurists steering the Katsina State judiciary toward excellence.
Chief Judge of Katsina State & Chairman, JSCKTN
Born November 21, 1958, in Funtua, Katsina State. Called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982 and appointed Chief Judge in March 2018. Recipient of the National Productivity Merit Award (1998) and honorary LL.D in Islamic Jurisprudence from Al-Nahda International University, Niamey (2018).
Called to Bar
Chief Judge
National Award
Secretary, Judicial Service Commission Katsina State
Amina Ibrahim Danmusa, the first female Secretary of the Katsina State Judicial Service Commission, was born in 1974 and hails from Danmusa Local Government Area of Katsina State. Her distinguished legal career is built on a strong academic foundation, holding a Bachelor of Laws degree from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She began her professional journey at the Ministry of Justice as a State Counsel in 2003, where her diligence saw her rise to the rank of Principal State Counsel by 2009, establishing a reputation for excellence early in her career.
In a strategic move to broaden her judicial expertise, she later transferred her service to the Katsina State High Court of Justice, where she served as a Senior Magistrate II. Her unwavering commitment to justice and administrative acumen propelled her through the ranks, culminating in her elevation to the position of Chief Magistrate I in 2019. This period of her career was marked by a deepening of her judicial experience, preparing her for the significant administrative responsibilities she would later undertake.
As the current Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, she brings a wealth of experience from her prior role as Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) for Litigation and Magistrate Affairs. In this capacity, she serves as the chief administrative officer of the Commission, skillfully overseeing secretariat operations and ensuring the seamless implementation of Commission decisions. Her historic appointment as the first female to hold this pivotal role not only underscores her professional merit but also stands as a testament to the progressive strides within the Katsina State judiciary. Her leadership is instrumental in guiding the Commission's efforts to uphold judicial independence, transparency, and the highest standards of professional conduct.
9th Grand Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal Katsina State
The 9th Grand Khadi of Katsina state Shari'a court of Appeal has been sworn into office by Governor Aminu Bello Masari. He is Qadi Muhammad Kabir Abubakar. Also sworn into office is Yusuf Mu'azu Abubakar as a permanent secretary in the state civil service. Addressing the new appointees, Governor Aminu Bello Masari observed that the Justice delivery system being operated had been bedeviled with the problem of delays, inefficiency and prolonged adjournments. It was in response to the challenges, he said that the reforms in the Justice sector became imperative, adding that the present APC administration had taken many steps to strengthen the judiciary through the Justice sector reform project. Some of the steps, according to the Governor include the coming into force of the administration of criminal Justice law in katsina state, the establishment of community conflict resolution centres and the appointment of additional judicial officers to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice in the state. The Governor commended the state High court for responding to the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic through the setting up of virtual courts for remote hearing of cases. Alhaji Aminu Masari who noted that although virtual courts have constitutional limitations expressed confidence that appropriate constitutional amendments would be undertaken to allow for jurisprudence of high-tech court hearing to be developed. He assured the judiciary that the APC administration will support and facilitate the gradual digitization of the Justice sector institutions through the state Justice sector reform project. Turning to the current insecurity affecting the state, Governor Aminu Bello Masari assured that the state government is coming up with practical and more sustainable measures of addressing the lingering insecurity in the state. Alhaji Aminu Masari announced that an executive Bill that provided for a 3 tier community security structures will soon be forwarded to the state house of assembly. He said District security councils will be established for each District and security peace Committee for every village and ward in the state. He said that the security councils and Committees would in addition to security monitoring and intelligence gathering perform community policing and neighborhood watch functions. The Governor used the occasion to seek for the cooperation of the legislature and the judiciary to support the new approach in addressing the lingering insecurity in the state. He also appealed to communities to rise up to the challenges of security by being their brother's keepers. He expressed confidence that the newly sworn in Grand Khadi will join hands with other stakeholders to move the institution forward. He also congratulated the newly sworn in permanent secretary and hoped that he will justify the confidence reposed in him.
Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice
Barrister Fadila Muhammad Dikko was born on the 3rd of June 1985 and hails from Birchi, Kurfi Local Government Area of Katsina State. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Master's in Public Law from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Barrister Fadila is currently pursuing a Ph.D. programme in law from Bayero University, Kano.
Barrister Fadila began her flowering law career in 2010 when she served as Legal Assistant to the Hon. Chief Judge of High Court 7 in Katsina State. She, further, served as Assistant Chief Registrar, In-charge of the Mediation Door, Katsina Multi-door Court House, Katsina. She rose to Magistrate grade 1, Senior Magistrate grade 2, before she finally became Chief Magistrate of Katsina State judiciary, a position she currently occupies.
She obtained numerous certificates and published illustrious articles such as certificate in Special Investigation and Prosecution, National Judicial Institute Certificate on Refresher Course for Magistrates, and Workshop by Women Environmental Program on extreme violence among others. Barrister Fadila is happily married with children.
Hon. Ahmed Mukhtar Danbaba
Commission Member
Hon. Adamu Yakubu
Commission Member
Hon. Salihu Habibu Maska
Commission Member
Hon. Abdulkarim Imam Yunusa
Commission Member
The Commission's powers as derived from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Advise the National Judicial Council on suitable persons for nomination to judicial offices: Chief Judge of the State, Grand Kadi of Sharia Court of Appeal, President of Customary Court of Appeal, Judges of High Court, Sharia & Customary Courts.
Subject to constitutional provisions, recommend to the National Judicial Council the removal from office of judicial officers specified in the advisory function.
Appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over Chief Registrar & Deputy Chief Registrar of High Court, Chief Registrars of Sharia & Customary Courts of Appeal, Magistrates and Judges of Area Courts, and all other judicial service staff not specified in Constitution.
Superior court of record with unlimited jurisdiction
Appellate jurisdiction over Islamic personal law
Original jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters
Area courts for Islamic civil & criminal matters
Recent developments and milestones in the Katsina State Judiciary.
The 9th Grand Khadi of Katsina state Shari'a court of Appeal has been sworn into office by Governor Aminu Bello Masari. He is Qadi Muhammad Kabir Abubakar. Also sworn into office is Yusuf Mu'azu Abubakar as a permanent secretary in the state civil service. Addressing the new appointees, Governor Aminu Bello Masari observed that the Justice delivery system being operated had been bedeviled with the problem of delays, inefficiency and prolonged adjournments. It was in response to the challenges, he said that the reforms in the Justice sector became imperative, adding that the present APC administration had taken many steps to strengthen the judiciary through the Justice sector reform project. Some of the steps, according to the Governor include the coming into force of the administration of criminal Justice law in katsina state, the establishment of community conflict resolution centres and the appointment of additional judicial officers to ensure speedy dispensation of Justice in the state.
The Governor commended the state High court for responding to the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic through the setting up of virtual courts for remote hearing of cases. Alhaji Aminu Masari who noted that although virtual courts have constitutional limitations expressed confidence that appropriate constitutional amendments would be undertaken to allow for jurisprudence of high-tech court hearing to be developed. He assured the judiciary that the APC administration will support and facilitate the gradual digitization of the Justice sector institutions through the state Justice sector reform project. Turning to the current insecurity affecting the state, Governor Aminu Bello Masari assured that the state government is coming up with practical and more sustainable measures of addressing the lingering insecurity in the state. An executive Bill that provided for a 3 tier community security structures will soon be forwarded to the state house of assembly. District security councils will be established for each District and security peace Committee for every village and ward in the state.
For inquiries regarding judicial appointments, disciplinary matters, or general information about the Katsina State Judiciary.
High Court Complex, Katsina State Secretariat, Katsina, Nigeria
+234 803 123 4567 | Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
info@jscktn.org.ng