Osun Governor, Adeleke Sacks Chief Judge

Despite an order of the National Industrial Court restraining Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from removing or interfering with the judiciary, the Governor has approved the suspension of the Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.

A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, stated that the Governor approved the resolution of the House of Assembly asking the Chief Judge to step aside over the allegation of misconduct.

In her place, Justice Olayinka David Afolabi was appointed as the Acting Chief Judge.

This was disclosed in a statement by Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday.

According to the statement, the appointment of Justice Afolabi as Acting CJ was with immediate effect, following the approval of a resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has appointed Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State with immediate effect following the approval of the resolution of the House of Assembly.”

Justice Ojo’s sacking as CJ is coming after speculations in different quarters that the state government was planning to remove her from office.

On Wednesday, some civil society organisations drew the attention of the state government to the speculations.

However, in a reaction, the state government, through the Commissioner for Information and Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, debunked the speculations.

The state government also insisted that no government official in the state is bigger than the laws of the state