The National Judicial Council (NJC) has cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Oyebola Ojo, of all allegations of financial impropriety and judicial misconduct brought against her by judiciary workers in the state.

The decision was taken during the Council’s 110th meeting on Wednesday, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. NJC Deputy Director, Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, said the Council upheld the findings of a three-member investigation committee constituted to probe petitions against Mrs Ojo.

The petitions were submitted by Eludire Kunle, a staff member of the Osun State Customary Court of Appeal and chairman of the state chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), alongside three others. Additional complaints were filed by the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbediran; Temitope Fasina; and a joint petition by the Osun State Attorney-General, Oluwole Bada, with four alleged members of the State Judicial Service Commission.

Allegations against Mrs Ojo included unilateral suspension of judiciary staff, selective promotions, stoppage of training programmes, disobedience of court orders, and misappropriation of funds, including N7.4 million meant for judges’ and magistrates’ retreats, N5 million robe allowances, and proceeds from e-affidavits.

The investigation committee concluded that the staff suspensions complied with due process and followed the recommendations of the appropriate disciplinary committee. It affirmed that the State Judicial Service Commission exercises statutory authority over staff training and promotions. After reviewing all evidence, the committee found no proof that Mrs Ojo misappropriated robe allowances, retreat funds, or e-affidavit proceeds, and confirmed that she did not personally benefit from any financial transactions. Based on these findings, the committee recommended the dismissal of all petitions, a recommendation fully adopted by the NJC.

Court operations in Osun State have been disrupted for over a year due to JUSUN strike actions stemming from unresolved grievances, with political interference from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration also contributing to the crisis. In November 2023, Governor Adeleke suspended Mrs Ojo over allegations of misconduct and named High Court Judge David Afolabi as Acting Chief Judge. Mr Afolabi rejected the appointment, citing the lack of NJC input as required by the constitution. The NJC had previously instructed the state government to maintain the status quo, stressing that only the Council has the constitutional authority to investigate judicial officers and recommend actions to the governor. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) condemned the suspension, calling it unlawful and a violation of the separation of powers.

The NJC also extended the tenure of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice I. O. Agugua, by three months, while urging Governor Hope Uzodimma to promptly constitute the State Judicial Service Commission to enable a substantive appointment. The council stressed the importance of this step for judicial stability and independence.

In other matters, the NJC dismissed a petition against Gentu Timi of the Delta State High Court over alleged professional misconduct in a chieftaincy dispute after the petitioner withdrew it. The Council also reversed the one-year suspension without pay of Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, noting that the complaint was filed beyond the six-month statutory period and was already under appeal.

The Council reviewed 39 petitions through its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, dismissing 26 for lack of merit, recommending seven for further investigation, and cautioning two judicial officers for procedural lapses, including delayed judgments and inappropriate language in court responses. The NJC reiterated its warning against indiscriminate granting of ex parte orders and advised Heads of Court to exercise caution when assigning complex cases to newly appointed judges.

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