Hon. Grand Kadi Tijjani Yusuf Yakasai

Hon. Grand Kadi Dr. Tijjani Yusuf Yakasai serves as the Grand Kadi of Kano State, overseeing the Sharia Court of Appeal. He was appointed as the substantive Grand Kadi in September 2019, following his tenure as Acting Grand Kadi since July 2018 after the retirement of his predecessor, Khadi Abdullahi Waiya.

Judicial Reforms and Initiatives

Under Dr. Yakasai's leadership, the Kano State Sharia Court of Appeal has embarked on significant reforms aimed at enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the judiciary:

 - Digitization of Court Processes: He initiated the computerization of Sharia court proceedings. Phase One involved implementing e-payment systems for the distribution of inheritance funds to rightful heirs. Phase Two focused on digitizing court records to prevent loss, damage, or tampering.

- Judicial Training Programs: Dr. Yakasai established a Judicial School designed to train and retrain judicial staff across all levels. Additionally, he introduced monthly in-house seminars for prospective Khadis, fostering continuous professional development within the judiciary.

Commitment to Justice and Human Rights

Demonstrating a commitment to justice and human rights, Dr. Yakasai has taken proactive steps to address issues within the correctional system:

- Inmate Rehabilitation and Decongestion: In November 2023, he granted bail to 147 inmates held for minor offenses in two custodial centers, aiming to decongest facilities and promote rehabilitation .- Case Review for Long-Term Inmate: He established a committee to - review the case of a convict who had been awaiting the execution of an amputation sentence for 18 years. The committee, comprising six judges and headed by an Upper Sharia Court Judge, was tasked with assessing the case to ensure justice and adherence to human rights standards.

Dr. Yakasai's tenure as Grand Kadi is marked by a dedication to modernizing the judiciary, upholding the

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