Ondo Judiciary Sacks, Suspends 190 Magistrates, Registrars

Those affected include judges, magistrates, senior registrars and registrars at the high courts and magistrates’ courts. The affected Judiciary workers were said to be those employed by the Dr Olusegun Mimiko administration. In a letter on behalf of the state government by JSC Secretary, Chief Z. D. Egbunu, and addressed to the acting chief registrar of the State High Court, the government noted that the affected workers were employed without due process. The letter sad the appointment of the affected workers was irregular, prompting government’s action. It reads: “Due to perceived irregularities and lack of due process in your appointment as a senior registrar (functioning as attorneys) in Ondo State Judiciary within the JSC, the acting chief judge and chairman of the commission has directed your immediate suspension, pending plenary consideration and propriety of your appointment process.” The letter also directed the affected officers to hand over government’s property in their custody. Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu was said to have directed the JSC to probe the appointment of Judiciary workers, especially magistrates and judges. Justice Commissioner Kola Olawoye said only the Chief Judge, Justice O. O Akeredolu, was “eminently” qualified to speak on the matter.T]]>