Senator Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Governor, has rescinded his decision on the appointment of Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of the state to replace the sacked Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo.
Justice Ojo was ordered by the State House of Assembly to step aside over alleged gross misconduct.
Adeleke immediately announced the appointment of Justice Olayinka as acting CJ; however, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and stakeholders in the judiciary rejected the decision of both the legislature and executive arms in the state on Justice Ojo’s sack and appointment of the acting CJ.
However, the governor, through the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, reversed his decision on the appointment of the acting Chief Justice on Sunday.
He stated that Adeleke transmitted the House of Assembly’s resolution and recommendation to the Chief Justice of the Federation for consideration and action.
“Governor Adeleke has only duly notified the Chief Justice of the Federation as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in writing about the resolutions of the House of Assembly following a series of petitions made against the sitting Chief Judge of Osun State.
“In the communication, Mr. Governor informed the CJN of the recommendation of the House that the Chief Judge should step aside and included his own submission for an acting appointment to fill the vacuum while the NJC reviews and decides on the petition.
“To that end, the Governor, in the same letter, recommended to the CJN the appointment of the most senior judicial officer, Hon. Justice Olayinka David Afolabi, for thorough consideration and further processing by the same NJC through the CJN.”
