Court Halts Gov Adeleke From Removing Osun CJ

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, located in Ibadan, Oyo State, has blocked Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from removing the State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, and Michael Obidiya from their positions as the secretary of the state Judicial Service Commission.

This decision came after Ojo and Obidiya, represented by their attorney Oladipo Olasope, filed two separate lawsuits.

Ojo, in particular, filed a petition against Adeleke, the state accountant general, the Osun State Attorney General, and the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.

In the petition, she requested an interim injunction to prevent the defendants from terminating her appointment and conditions of service, including her salary and other benefits.

Ojo also sought an order mandating the 4th defendant to continue to pay her salary, entitlements, emoluments, remuneration and other benefits as the Chief Judge of Osun State, pending the determination of the interlocutory application.

Upon hearing Olasope, counsel to the claimant, D. Peters, subsequently held, “An order of interim injunction is issued restraining the Defendants by themselves or their agents or privies howsoever so-called from interfering with removing, reversing or terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the Applicant as the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State including but not limited to salaries and other pecuniary benefits pending the determination of the interlocutory application.

“An order is here issued mandatory for the 4th Defendant to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments and other benefits and money the Applicant is entitled to the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State pending the determination of the interlocutory application.”

The court adjourned the matter for hearing of the pending motion on notice till December 12, 2023.