Osun Judicial Service Commission Summons Suspended Chief Judge For Questioning Over Misconduct Claims

The Osun State Judicial Service Commission has invited the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo, for questioning over allegations of misconduct.

In a letter dated November 7th, the commission asked Justice Ojo to appear before it on November 20th to respond to allegations of abuse of office, financial misappropriation, disobedience of court orders and corruption.

The summon follows a resolution by the Osun State House of Assembly directing the commission to investigate the claims against the Chief Judge. The lawmakers had called for her suspension pending the probe.

The letter, signed by five commission members, attaches a copy of the petition against Justice Ojo forwarded by the state assembly.

The development comes amid controversy over the removal of Justice Ojo as Chief Judge by Governor Ademola Adeleke based on the assembly’s resolution.

The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the removal as unconstitutional and secured a court order restraining the governor from interfering in the Chief Judge’s office.

Justice Ojo’s questioning by the commission represents an escalation of the ongoing tussle between the state executive and judiciary over her position as head of the state’s courts.