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…Denies flouting court order
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Osun State Government as described as ‘untrue,’ claims that the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo was suspended by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on Friday, said the Governor only acted on the resolution of the House of Assembly who confirmed the appointment of the Chief Judge and asked her to step aside.
According to Alimi, the petition and preliminary actions on the Chief Judge have been sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC), maintaining that Governor Adeleke has not defied any court order.
“It should also be noted that the Osun State House of Assembly that confirmed the appointment of Mrs Adepele Ojo and asked her to step aside is not a party to any ongoing case or court order.
“It is safe to assert that all that are being posted online are mere stunts as the government is not aware of any pending case at this material moment.
“We also call the attention of the public that the misappropriated money over which investigation is being carried out were appropriated by the State House of Assembly and the body has constitutional right to inquire how money it appropriated was applied.
“The staff of Osun State Judiciary, who are being denied their right by the Chief Judge and some of who joined in the petition, are employees of the Osun State Government under the authority of OSHA.
“We re-assure the public that appropriate representation has been made to National Judicial Council, over the development and we affirm that the Chief Judge was not suspended by the Governor, as being mischievously represented by some sections of the media.
“Rather, it is the State Assembly on the premise that an official cannot be on the seat whilst investigation is ongoing, that asked the Chief Judge to step aside . The Governor only acted on the resolution of the House.
“To ensure there is no vacuum, the Governor appointed an Acting Chief Judge, as prescribed by the Constitution in a situation like this,” Alimi said.
