The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has defended the suspension of the Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, and clarified the Assembly’s constitutional responsibilities in the matter.
Following the suspension of the Osun CJ, there has been widespread criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), civil society organizations, and prominent individuals.
The Assembly had directed Governor Ademola Adeleke to swear in Justice David Olayinka Afolabi as the Acting CJ.
In response to the backlash, Egbedun stated that the Assembly’s actions were not aimed at encroaching on the constitutional duties of the National Judicial Council (NJC) but rather fulfilling its duty to expose corruption, as stipulated in Section 128 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution.
The Speaker clarified, “Given that the Osun State House of Assembly received several petitions alleging corruption against the Chief Judge of Osun State, the Osun State House of Assembly would have been negligent and in breach of its constitutional responsibilities if it had ignored the petitions.”
He detailed some of the allegations against the Chief Judge, including diversion of funds for the State Judiciary Library, misappropriation of a judge’s robe allowance, indiscriminate suspension of judicial staff, diversion of revenue, disobedience of a court judgment, and diversion of recovered proceeds from convicted armed robbers.
Egbedun emphasized that the Assembly is aware of the constitutional provisions and Supreme Court decisions regarding the removal of a Chief Judge, highlighting that the National Judicial Council’s participation is necessary.
He urged caution in commenting on the matter, emphasizing that the Assembly has not been served with any injunction related to the lawsuit filed by the Chief Judge at the National Industrial Court in Ibadan.
Egbedun concluded by asserting the Assembly’s commitment to upholding the constitution, resisting intimidation, and fulfilling its constitutional responsibilities without succumbing to unconstitutional objectives.
END.