SERAP Asks Adeleke To Immediately Reinstate Sacked Osun CJ

Socio-Economic Right and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to immediately reinstate the recently sacked Chief Justice of the state, Justice Oyebola Ojo.

Naija News had earlier reported that despite a National Industrial Court order that prevented Adeleke from removing or meddling with the judiciary.

However. despite the court order, the governor suspended the Chief Judge and replaced her immediately with Justice Yinka Afolabi as the Acting CJ.

A statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, stated that the governor approved the resolution of the House of Assembly by asking the Chief Judge to step aside over the allegation of misconduct.

However, in a statement on Saturday, SERAP asked Governor Adeleke to immediately re-instate the Chief Judge, describing her removal as unlawful.

“Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke must immediately reverse his apparently unlawful removal of Adepele Ojo as the Chief Judge of Osun state. This vicious cycle of authoritarian attacks on the rule of law must stop. We’ll see in court if this illegality is not reversed,” a statement by SERAP read.

Also, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has criticized the governor over the suspension of the state Chief Judge despite the recommendation of the House of Assembly.

Speaking through its spokesperson, Barrister Akorede Habeeb Lawal, the NBA vowed not to recognize Justice Afolabi if eventually sworn in as the Acting CJ.

The association insisted that Adeleke’s refusal to recognise the interim court order can be regarded as abuse of power and desecration of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended).