Osun Assembly orders Chief Judge to appear before committee

as Attorney General clears Adeleke’s involvement

Osun State House of Assembly has ordered the embattled Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo to appear before the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters.

The legislators resolved that the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters should expedite its investigation of the petitions submitted against the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, by inviting her and report to the House within seven days.

In a statement signed by Tiamiyu Olamide, the Chief Press Secretary to the Assembly Speaker, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, said the decision was taken during the plenary on Thursday.

The House also resolved that pending the outcome of the investigation, Adepele-Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation.

The statement read, “This House decision is in line with the investigative powers vested on the House of Assembly by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

“The Executive Arm was also advised to immediately swear in the next Judge in order of seniority as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State in order not to create a vacuum in the office while the executive was also advised to notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolution of the House.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of Osun State, Mr Wole Jimi-Bada has cleared Governor Ademola Adeleke of involvement in the stepping aside of Adepele-Ojo, which was predicated on a petition that prompted her being ask to step aside from office.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening, the Commissioner narrated that a strongly worded petition was sent to the State Judicial Service Commission and the State House of Assembly, which led to the hearing and eventual resolution of the State House of Assembly to ask the the Chief Judge to step aside.

Jim-Bada said, “The House further launched investigation into the allegation contained in the said petition and even summoned the Chief Judge to appear before its investigative committee.

“As part of its investigation, the House passed a resolution recommending that the State Governor should ask the Chief Judge to step aside and appoint an acting Chief Judge pending the outcome of the investigation by both the House of Assembly and the NJC to which the matter has been referred.

“As the Governor believes so much in due process, rule of law and fear of God, he approved the recommendation with a caveat that if the Chief Judge is found to be innocent, she should return to her position.”

According to the Commissioner, the Governor only acted to ensure that there is no vacuum by appointing an acting Chief Judge as a temporary measure.

“We want to assert that the Governor was not the writer of the petition nor is the Governor the retinue of persons who provided multiple evidence as regards the conduct of the Chief Judge, as contained in the petition.

“By appointing an acting Chief Judge, the Governor only acted to ensure there is no vacuum and there is no tampering with potential evidence while the investigation lasted.”