Despite an interim order by the National Industrial Court restraining Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State from removing the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Oyebola Ojo, the governor went ahead and approved her suspension yesterday.
Furthermore, the governor appointed Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of the state following the approval of the House of Assembly’s resolution asking Ojo to step aside.
Earlier, Justice Dele Peters of the National Industrial Court, Ibadan Division, had restrained Governor Adeleke from removing Justice Oyebola Ojo as the Chief Judge. The order was issued under an interim injunction instituted before the court by Justice Ojo through her counsel, Oladipo Olasope, SAN. The injunction was against Governor Adeleke, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Osun State Judicial Service Commission, and the Accountant-General of the state.
Justice Ojo had requested the court to restrain the defendants from interfering with, removing, reversing, or terminating her condition of service as the Chief Judge of Osun State.
After hearing the claimant’s counsel, the court ordered that the governor and other defendants refrain from interfering with, removing, reversing, or terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the applicant, pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
The order also mandated the fourth defendant to continue paying the salary, entitlements, emoluments, and other benefits that Justice Ojo is entitled to as the Chief Judge of Osun State, pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
Additionally, the court directed the first defendant, Governor Adeleke, as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State, to ensure adequate protection to Justice Ojo from all forms of harassment and intimidation, taking cognisance of her gender as a wife, mother, and grandmother, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
The matter has been adjourned till December 12, 2023, to hear the pending motion, and the hearing notice should be appropriately served on the defendants.
