From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Shortly after the injunction of the National Industrial Court (NIC) restraining Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from removing the Chief Judge (CJ) of the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, the governor approved the suspension of the CJ.
Governor Adeleke, who was said to have travelled abroad, also directed his deputy, Kola Adewusi, to swear in Yinka Afolabi, as acting CJ.
The governor has been restrained from removing the CJ and her salary, entitlements, and other benefits must not be tampered with pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
A National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, presided over by J. D. Peter, granted the order as prayed by the claimant, Adepele-Ojo.
In a motion ex-parte dated, November 15, the CJ sought an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants, including Osun governor, attorney general, Judicial Service Commission, and accountant general, from removing the CJ.
After hearing the lead counsel to the claimant, Oladipo Olasope, the court granted the order as prayed.
“An order of interim injunction is issued restraining the defendants by themselves or their agents or privies howsoever so-called from interfering with removing, reversing or terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the applicant as Osun State CJ, including but not limited to salaries and other pecuniary benefits pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
“An order is hereby issued mandatory for the 4th defendant to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments, and other benefits and money the applicant is entitled to as the CJ of Osun State pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
“Taking cognisance of the gender of the applicant as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, the defendant as the chief security officer of Osun State with keys to all security apparatus is ordered and directed to ensure adequate protection to the applicant from all forms of harassment and all quarters pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
“Finally, it is directed that the 2nd defendant as the chief law officer of Osun State will appropriately advise the defendants in general and the 1st defendant in particular on the imperative of complying fully with the orders of this court.
“This order together with all other processes in this case shall be served on the defendants immediately. The case is adjourned to December 12, 2023 to hear the pending motion on notice. Hearing notice is to be issued and served on the defendants with proof of same in the file,” the court said.
However, spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, yesterday, in a statement, said 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 the executive should be informed of the House resolution and that the next in order of seniority to 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 CJ of Osun State bordering on gross misconducts, abuse of office, corruption and lack of respect for due process and rule of law, this House, in performance of its oversight functions and exercise of its investigative powers vested by the 1999 Constitution (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, Adepele-Ojo, by inviting the CJ and report to the House within seven days from today.
“That pending the outcome of the investigation, 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 governor should immediately swear in the next judge in order of seniority as the acting CJ of the state.
“The executive should immediately notify the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the state judicial service commission (JSC) 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 NJC, and the state JSC.
“The deputy governor has been directed by the governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the acting CJ of Osun State which will be held today at the executive lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo,” Rasheed said.