Osun PDP demands probe of controversial court letters on LG crisis

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Osun State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has called for an investigation into two controversial letters allegedly issued from the office of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court concerning the local government crisis in the state.

Speaking to journalists in Osogbo, the state PDP Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, described the letters as “abnormal and unacceptable,” stressing that judicial powers cannot be delegated to proxies or personal assistants, but must be exercised strictly by judicial officers.

Bisi pointed to a letter dated August 21, 2025, signed by one Joshua Ibrahim Aji, who identified himself as Special Assistant to the Chief Judge. The letter purportedly assigned a judicial duty to a judge—an action Bisi said is a gross violation, as the Special Assistant is not a judicial officer.

He also referenced a second letter dated September 2, 2025, which was not signed by Aji but by an unnamed individual on his behalf. This letter, Bisi said, attempted to assign another case to a judge and was suspiciously delivered more than a week later, on September 11, after a related court hearing had already taken place on September 8.

According to Bisi, the power to transfer a case between judges lies solely with the court, through a formal application in open session. He criticized any attempt to handle such matters through unofficial channels, calling it a threat to judicial transparency and independence.

He further condemned the August 21 letter for claiming that the case would become “nugatory” if not heard during court vacation, noting that only a court—not an administrative letter—can make such a determination after hearing all parties.

The PDP chairman expressed concern over the September 2 letter being addressed to Chief Akin Olujinmi, SAN, counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, who had already been withdrawn from the case. He questioned why the Chief Judge’s office would communicate with a party no longer before the court.

Bisi called on the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to launch an immediate investigation, insisting that those issuing unauthorized judicial correspondence must be held accountable. “We demand transparency, accountability, and above all, respect for the rule of law,” he said.