Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has reversed his decision regarding the appointment of Justice Olayinka David Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of the state. This move comes as a response to the controversy surrounding the State House of Assembly’s directive for the former Chief Judge, Justice Adepele Ojo, to step aside due to allegations of gross misconduct.
Initially, in response to the Assembly’s order, Governor Adeleke appointed Justice Olayinka as the acting Chief Judge. However, this decision faced opposition from the Nigerian Bar Association and other stakeholders in the judiciary.
In a statement released on Sunday by his Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, Governor Adeleke stated that he has now forwarded the resolution and recommendation of the House of Assembly to the Chief Justice of the Federation for consideration and appropriate 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,” the statement read.
“In the communication, Mr Governor intimated the CJN of the recommendation of the House that the Chief Judge should step aside and include 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.”