By Parrot Newspaper Kogi Judge Kicked Out for Buying Disputed Property He Was Judging
…Magistrate also suspended for issuing court order without a hearing
The Kogi State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has dropped the hammer on one of its own—ordering the compulsory retirement of Judge Alemeru Adekunle Bamidele after he was caught in a shocking breach of judicial ethics.
At its 136th meeting held on Monday, May 5, 2025, the Commission found that Judge Bamidele purchased a building that was the subject of a live case before him. The kicker? He had ordered the property to be sold—then swooped in to buy it himself—and reportedly failed to complete payment afterward.
Legal insiders are calling it a textbook case of conflict of interest gone rogue.
But the gavel didn’t stop there.
The Commission also handed Magistrate Tanimu U. Muhammed a two-year suspension from adjudicatory duties. His offence? Issuing a court order without giving both parties a hearing—a move described by observers as a reckless disregard for due process. He’ll also receive a formal letter of warning.
On a brighter note, not everyone was found guilty. After thorough investigations by the JSC’s Disciplinary Committee, Magistrate Abdul Musa Mopah, Mr. Yunusa Medugu, Deborah O. Ebiloma Esq., and Anuhi Safiya Oiza were cleared of all allegations against them.
According to Dr. Tanko Muhammed, secretary of the Commission, a six-man committee has now been set up to recommend ways to improve the welfare of magistrates and Area Court judges across the state. The committee is headed by the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Muizudeen Abdullah, SAN.
It appears the judiciary in Kogi is finally cleaning house—and not a moment too soon.