Osun Justice Commissioner, Bada Absolves Adeleke of CJ's sack
Adeleke has been cleared of CJ's removal by Osun Justice Commissioner Bada
Ademola Adeleke, the governor of Osun State, has been cleared of any participation in the removal of Justice Adepele Ojo, the previous chief judge of the state.
As per Wole Jimi-Bada, the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Ojo's removal from office was due to a petition that prompted her to resign.
Jimi-Bada revealed this in a statement that was made public on Thursday night.
Bada emphasized that a strongly worded petition was filed to the State House of Assembly and the State Judicial Service Commission. She also said that the petition resulted in a hearing and the State House of Assembly's eventual decision to request the Chief Judge's resignation.
"The House further launched an investigation into the allegation contained in the said petition and even summoned the Chief Judge to appear before its investigative committee.
"The House further launched an investigation into the allegation contained in the said petition and even summoned the Chief Judge to appear before its investigative committee.
"As part of its investigation, the House passed a resolution recommending that Adeleke should ask Ojo to step aside and appoint an acting Chief Judge pending the outcome of the investigation by both the House of Assembly and the NJC to which the matter has been referred."
According to the statement, Adeleke accepted the recommendation but stipulated that the Chief Judge had to resign her post if it was determined that she was innocent.
"Governor Adeleke only acted to ensure that there is no vacuum by appointing an acting Chief Judge as a temporary measure.
"We want to assert that the governor was not the writer of the petition nor is the governor the retinue of persons who provided multiple evidence as regards the conduct of the Chief Judge, as contained in the petition.
"By appointing an acting Chief Judge, the governor only acted to ensure there is no vacuum and there is no tampering with potential evidence while the investigation lasted," it added.
Adeleke appointed Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the state's acting chief judge. This appointment took effect immediately, after the House of Assembly approved the resolution.
MON DIARIES had reported that speculations had been rife of a purported plan to sack Justice Ojo.
The coalition of civil society organizations in the state also disclosed that it was aware of the preparations in an effort to put pressure on the state government.
Read: Gov. Adeleke Dismisses Osun Chief Judge
The government was alerted to the illegality of the move by the CSOs in Osun.
Kolapo Alimi, the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, refuted the rumors on behalf of the state administration.
Nonetheless, the state administration announced in a press release that the Chief Judge had been suspended following a decision made by the State House of Assembly on Thursday. The announcement was signed by Olawale Rasheed, the governor's spokeswoman.
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