Judge Adepele Ojo, the Chief Judge of Osun State, has been suspended by the Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in violation of a National Industrial Court judgement prohibiting him from dismissing or otherwise meddling in the judiciary.
A statement published by the Governor’s spokeswoman, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, indicated that the Governor supported the motion of the House of Assembly asking the Chief Judge to step aside over the accusation of misconduct.
According to earlier reports from the Nigerian Tribune, Justice Ojo brought Adeleke before the court and obtained an injunction to prevent the governor from removing her.
The resolution, which partially reads, “has approved the Osun State House of Assembly’s request that the Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, step aside the pending investigation of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, and disregard for the rule of law against her,” was made on Thursday evening, according to Adelekek.
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 declared that, in carrying out its oversight duties and using the investigative powers granted to it by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), this honourable house, based on numerous petitions received against the Chief Judge of Osun State, was troubled by grave misconducts, abuse of office, corruption, and a disregard for due process and the rule of law.
According to Adeleke’s spokesperson, the House also decided that the Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters should look into the petitions against Hon. Justice Adepele Ojo, the Chief Judge of Osun State, by inviting the Judge and reporting to the House in seven days.
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“That the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo, should resign until the investigation is concluded, not to face any disciplinary action but to enable a thorough examination of the accusations.”
“That the Executive Governor should appoint the next judge in seniority order as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State as soon as possible, while she steps aside pending the investigation.
“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 House Clerk send the House’s resolutions to the Executive, the State Judicial Service Commission, and the National Judicial Council.”
“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,” he concluded.
