Court Affirms Justice Ojo As Osun Chief Judge Despite Adeleke, Assembly Opposition
In a significant legal ruling, the National Industrial Court in Ibadan has upheld Justice Adepele Ojo’s position as the Chief Judge of Osun State. The judgment, delivered by Justice Peters in a suit numbered NICN/IB/62/2023 on Wednesday, granted all reliefs sought by Justice Ojo against the Osun State Government and Osun State House of Assembly.
This decision includes a perpetual injunction restraining both the executive and legislative branches of government from removing her as the state’s top judicial officer.
The conflict between the Osun State Government and Justice Ojo escalated in 2023 when the Osun Assembly motioned to suspend her as Chief Judge. In response, an acting Chief Judge, Justice Olayinka Afolabi, was appointed. However, he declined to be sworn in the following day.
Seeking legal recourse, Justice Ojo brought the matter before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria in Ibadan, Oyo State, securing a restraining order against Governor Ademola Adeleke from removing her as the substantive Chief Judge.
The court adjourned the case until December 12, 2023, to hear the pending motion on notice.
Despite widespread criticism from bodies like the Nigeria Bar Association and civil society organizations, the Osun State Government initially denied removing Justice Ojo. According to the government spokesperson and Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, Adeleke merely forwarded the Assembly’s resolution and acting appointment recommendation to the Chief Justice of the Federation for consideration.
However, in November 2023, members of the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union (JUSUN) launched an indefinite protest against Justice Ojo’s continued tenure as Chief Judge. The strike, declared by JUSUN’s state chairman, Gbenga Eludire, cited allegations of mismanagement by Justice Ojo, including improper suspension of workers and halting statutory training programs.
The strike, which paralyzed judicial activities in the state, was formally called off in March 2024, following the court’s affirmation of Justice Ojo’s position.
