Adeleke Defies Court Order, Suspends Osun Chief Judge

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has approved the suspension of Justice Oyebola Ojo as the Chief Judge of the state.

This is despite an order of the National Industrial Court restraining the governor from removing or interfering with the judiciary.

A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, said his principal approved the resolution of the House of Assembly asking the Chief Judge to step aside over the allegation of misconduct.

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He noted that he has approved the appointment of Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the new acting CJ for the state.

According to Rasheed’s statement, “The state House Of Assembly after its resolution on Thursday on the floor of the House however resolved that the next in order of seniority to Justice Adepele Ojo be sworn-in immediately to avoid any vacuum in the third arm of government in Osun State.

“The house had earlier stated that, based on various petitions received against the Chief Judge of Osun State bothering on gross misconducts, abuse of office, corruption and lack of respect for due process and rule of law, this Honourable House, in performance of its oversight functions and exercise of its investigative powers vested by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

“The Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters investigate the petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo, by inviting the Chief Judge and report to the House within 7 days from today.

“That pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation of the allegations.

“That while she steps aside pending the investigation, the Executive Governor should immediately swear in the next judge in order of Seniority as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State.

“The Executive should immediately notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolutions of this House immediately for their awareness.

“That the Clerk of this House should forward the resolutions of this House to the Executive, the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission

“Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the Governor, the Deputy-Governor has been directed by the Governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State which will be held tomorrow at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo,” the statement read.

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