The Osun State Government has vehemently refuted allegations that Governor Ademola Adeleke had removed Chief Judge Oyebola Adepele Ojo and appointed an acting Chief Judge in the state.
Clarifying the situation, the government insisted that Governor Adeleke merely forwarded the House of Assembly’s resolution and recommendation for an acting appointment to the Chief Justice of Nigeria for review and further action.
Media Talk Africa had reported the purported sacking of the Osun State Chief Judge, Oyebola Adepele Ojo, and attributed it to the resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly.
It was alleged that the House of Assembly had received numerous petitions against Justice Ojo, warranting her appearance before the legislative body.
Pending her appearance, Justice Olayinka Afolabi was appointed in an acting capacity until the matter was resolved.
The state government issued a comprehensive statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Oluomo, to address the matter.
In the statement, Oluomo emphasized, “Governor Adeleke has duly notified the Chief Justice as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council in writing about the resolutions of the House of Assembly following a series of petitions made against the sitting Chief Judge of Osun State.”
The statement continued, “The Governor intimated the CJN of the recommendation of the House that the Chief Judge should step aside and included his own submission for an acting appointment to fill the vacuum while the NJC reviews and decides on the petition.”
Furthermore, the government urged the public to acknowledge that while the House of Assembly recommended the appointment of a replacement to the Governor in its resolution, he adhered to legal procedures by informing the CJN and submitting all necessary materials for consideration by the NJC.
“Governor Adeleke has not appointed any judicial official as Acting Chief Judge, and nobody has been sworn in as Acting Chief Judge of Osun state,” the government maintained.
The statement also underscored the Governor’s commitment to due process, the rule of law, and his deep respect for the judiciary, the NJC, and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We assure the public that Governor Adeleke is fully aware of the limit of his powers as well as the responsibilities of the various agencies of government and will not act in any way to violate the constitution and the rule of law,” the government added.
