Shortly after the injunction of the National Industrial Court, restraining Governor Ademola Adeleke from removing the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, the governor approved the suspension of the CJ.
Governor Adeleke who was said to have traveled abroad, also directed his deputy to swear in another person as Acting Chief Judge.
A statement by the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, stated that the governor has approved the resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly asking the Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo to step aside pending investigation of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption and disregard for rule of law against her.
According to the statement, the legislators in their resolution resolved that the executive should be informed of the House resolution and 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.
“Having received various petitions 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) hereby resolved as follows:
“That 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 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
“There 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 (Friday) at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo,” Rasheed said.
Credit: Daily Sun