Despite Court Order, Gov. Adeleke Appoints New Acting Chief Judge

Following the suspension of Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo, Governor Ademola Adeleke has appointed Justice Olayinka Afolabi as acting chief judge of the state.

Justice Dele Peters of the National Industrial Court had Ibadan Division, restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke from removing the State Chief Judge, Oyebola Ojo.

A statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, stated the appointment is consequent upon the approval of the resolution of the House of Assembly asking Justice Ojo to step aside.

It reads, “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.”

The Industrial Court order is pursuant to an interim injunction instituted before the court by Justice Ojo through her counsel Oladipo Olasope, SAN, against Governor Adeleke, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, the Osun State Judicial Service Commission, and the Accountant General of the state.

She urged the court to restrain the defendants or their privies and agents from interfering with, removing, reversing, or terminating the condition of service of the claimant as the Chief Judge of Osun State.

Having listened to the claimant’s counsel, the court restrained the governor and other defendants, either by themselves or their agents or privies, however so-called, from interfering with, removing, reversing, or terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the applicant as the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State, pending the determination of the interlocutory application.

The order dated November 15, a certified true copy of which was obtained on Thursday, reads further: “An order is here issued mandatory for the 4th Defendant to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments, and other benefits and money the Applicant is entitled to as the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State pending the determination of the interlocutory application.

“Taking cognisance of the gender of the applicant as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, the 1st Defendant as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State with keys to all security apparatus is ordered and directed to ensure adequate protection to the applicant from all forms of harassment and all quarters pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons”.

The court then adjourned the matter till December 12, 2023, to hear the pending motion, adding that a hearing notice should be served on the defendants as appropriate.