Gov Adeleke told to respect NJC’s verdict, reinstate suspended chief judge
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to reinstate suspended chief judge Adepele Ojo in recognition of Thursday’s decision by the National Judicial Council.
On Thursday in Abuja, the NJC rejected Mr Adeleke’s request to remove Mr Ojo from office and appoint the next most senior judge in the state, Justice David Afolabi, in acting capacity.
The Osun governor had suspended Ojo from office, citing a state parliament resolution.
The NJC also rejected the resolution of the Osun House of Assembly.
“The NJC affirms that Justice Ojo is still the recognised Chief Judge of Osun and will not act on the resolution of a House of Assembly. Consequently, Osun should revert to the status quo,’’ the NJC ruled.
NJC’s decisions were reached at its 104th meeting chaired by the Chief Judge of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
APM’s chairman in Osun, Wale Adebayo, stated on Friday that the NJC had fulfilled its duties as outlined in Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution. He commended the NJC verdict, which nullified efforts to remove Justice Ojo from office over alleged misconduct.
“The NJC, being the only constitutional body empowered to investigate judiciary officers and take appropriate actions, has recognised Justice Ojo, disregarding the House of Assembly’s resolution. We as a political party criticised the process that led to the suspension of Justice Ojo and appealed to Gov. Adeleke to return her to office,” Mr Adebayo stated.
The Osun chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) embarked on a peaceful protest on November 20, picketing the office of Mr Ojo.
They demanded reasons for the delay in paying their wardrobe allowances since 2021, despite funding from the state government. They also demanded reasons behind the unlawful suspension of some JUSUN members from office for over 57 months without proper investigation, among other issues.
Chairman of the union, Oluwagbemiga Eludire, had told journalists that the picketing of Mr Ojo’s office had nothing to do with her suspension from office the previous Thursday and the reversal on Sunday.
Mr Ojo’s travails reportedly began after she sentenced a popular hotelier in Ile-Ife, Osun, to death by hanging over the murder of a customer.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Africa
UK sanctions 11 people, entities linked to illicit gold networks fuelling Sudan’s war
London said the sanctions are intended to disrupt networks using Sudan’s gold trade to finance the conflict.
Africa
Eleven children killed, 19 injured in Algeria orphanage fire
President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the tragedy as a huge loss.
Heading 2
Kano empowers 1,900 butchers, to establish cottage industry hubs
He said the government had already made provision for the establishment of the hubs in the 2026 budget.
Heading 3
2027 Elections: Police commence recovery of illegal arms nationwide
Mr Kokumo said the centre had destroyed more than 16,000 unserviceable weapons since its inception.
Heading 5
Court restrains FRSC from operating on Kano township roads
Mr Hikima sued the commission for unnecessarily stopping, searching and questioning him and other motorists.
Heading 5
White House teleprompter operator rakes in over $100,000 betting on Trump’s speeches: Report
Investigators discovered Mr Perez placed bets on more than a dozen of Mr Trump’s speeches over a three-month period.
