Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has swiftly appointed Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of Osun state, following the approval of the State Assembly’s resolution.
The spokesperson for the governor, Olawale Rasheed, disclosed this in a statement from Osogbo on Thursday. Afolabi, next in line in seniority to the suspended Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, assumes the role immediately.
The spokesperson for the governor, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement said the House had approved Ojo’s suspension at its plenary.
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Governor Adeleke Statement According To His Spokesperson
“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 partly read.
“This decision was taken during the plenary on Thursday, the House also resolved that pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State Honourable Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation.
“This House decision is in line with the investigative powers vested on the House of Assembly by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“The Executive Arm was also advised to immediately swear in the next judge in order of seniority as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State in order not to create a vacuum in the office while the executive was also advised to notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolution of the House”.
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There Will Be Further Investigations On Justice Ojo
During the plenary, the Assembly, through the Press Secretary to the Speaker, Tiamiyu Olamide, decided to investigate petitions against Ojo.
The House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Legal Matters was tasked with inviting Ojo and reporting its findings within seven days.
The resolution called for Ojo to step aside pending the investigation, emphasizing it as a precautionary measure, not disciplinary action. This decision aligns with the constitutional investigative powers of the House of Assembly.
The Executive Arm was advised to promptly swear in the next judge in order of seniority to prevent a vacuum in the Chief Judge’s office. Additionally, they were urged to notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the House’s resolution.
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Meanwhile, the suspended Chief Judge took legal action against Adeleke, the state Attorney General, and the Osun State Judicial Service Commission in the National Industrial Court in Ibadan.
An interim order restrains her removal pending further legal proceedings. Similar action was taken by the Secretary to the Osun State JSC, Michael Obidiya. Both cases are adjourned until December 12 for a hearing of Motions on Notice.
