Osun State Governor Appoints Acting Chief Judge Amidst Controversy

Gov. Ademola Adeleke, Osun state

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has appointed Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State, effective immediately. This decision follows the approval of the resolution passed by the House of Assembly.

The announcement was made by the governor's spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement released in Osogbo on Thursday. Justice Afolabi assumes the role as the next in line in seniority after Justice Adepele Ojo, the suspended Chief Judge.

Earlier, Governor Adeleke had endorsed the resolution of the State Assembly, which recommended the suspension of Justice Ojo. The House, during its plenary, approved Ojo's suspension, prompting the governor to appoint an acting Chief Judge to fill the void.

Rasheed's statement revealed, "Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the governor, the deputy governor has been directed by the governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the acting Chief Judge of Osun State, which will be held tomorrow at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo."

Providing additional details on the Assembly's decision, Tiamiyu Olamide, the Press Secretary to the Speaker, stated that the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Legal Matters would investigate petitions against Justice Ojo. The committee has seven days to present its findings to the House.

Olamide's statement explained, "The House also resolved that, pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for a proper investigation."

The suspension of the Chief Judge has led to legal action. Justice Ojo has filed a suit against Governor Adeleke, the state attorney general, and the Osun State Judicial Service Commission in the National Industrial Court in Ibadan, Oyo State. An interim order has been granted, preventing her removal from office pending the determination of the case. A similar order was granted for the Secretary to the Osun State JSC, Michael Obidiya, who also sought to block his potential removal.

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