NJC declines Adeleke’s request to suspend Osun CJ

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has rejected the request by Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, to suspend Oyebola Ojo, chief judge of the state.

On November 16, Adeleke suspended Ojo from office and approved the appointment of Olayinka Afolabi, as the acting chief judge of Osun.

Adeleke approved the suspension of Ojo after the resolution of the state house of assembly.

Ojo was suspended despite an order by the national industrial court restraining the governor from removing her from office.

Some days later, the Osun state government backtracked and said the chief judge was not suspended.

Kolapo Alimi, Osun commissioner for information, said the governor had only forwarded the resolution of the house of assembly and recommendations for an acting appointment to the chief justice of the federation.

THE RESOLUTION

The NJC under the chairmanship of Olukayode Ariwoola, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), had its 104th meeting from December 6 to 7 and made resolutions on certain issues, including the request of Adeleke.

The NJC asked the state government to maintain the status quo, adding that only the council is constitutionally empowered to investigate judicial officers.

“Council considered and declined the request of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State requesting its permission to swear in the next Most Senior Judge in the State in acting capacity, following allegations levelled against Hon. Justice Adepele Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State and the resolution of the State House of Assembly to suspend her,” Soji Oye, director of information, NJC, said in a statement.

“The Council affirmed that Hon. Justice Ojo is still the recognised Chief Judge of Osun State, and would not work on the resolution of a State House of Assembly, as it is the only body constitutionally empowered to investigate Judicial Officers and recommend same for any action to the Governor. Consequently, Osun State should revert to status quo.”

The council also recommended the compulsory retirement of S. O. Falola, a judge at the Osun state high court.

The NJC found Falola guilty of granting a garnishee order absolute against Polaris bank for N283,174,000, “in a questionable and strange manner”.

“It further found the conduct of the subject Judge travelling to Lagos to visit the Counsel of the Bank in his Chambers on the issue of Garnishee Proceedings, unbecoming of the standard expected of a Judicial Officer,” the statement reads.

“Consequently, Council resolved to recommend him to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State for compulsory retirement with immediate effect.”