The National Judicial Council has exonerated the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, of all allegations bordering on financial recklessness, abuse of office and judicial misconduct, bringing an end to a storm of petitions that had cast a shadow over the state’s judiciary.
The NJC, Nigeria’s highest judicial disciplinary authority, said it accepted in full the report of a three-member investigation committee constituted to examine the allegations against the Osun State Chief Judge.
In a statement released after its deliberations on Wednesday, the Council disclosed that the committee found no evidence to substantiate claims of misappropriation, diversion of funds or breach of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
The petitions were filed by a mix of high-ranking state officials and judicial stakeholders, including the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Jimi Bada; the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mr Adewale Egbedun; and four purported members of the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.
Other petitioners included a former Chairman of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria in the state, Mr Eludire Gbenga; a staff member of the Osun Customary Court of Appeal, Mr Temitope Fasina; and three other individuals.
They accused Justice Ojo of several alleged infractions, ranging from unilateral suspension of judiciary staff and selective promotion to stoppage of training programmes, disobedience of court orders and misappropriation of judiciary funds.
Among the financial allegations were claims of diversion of N7.4m earmarked for judges’ and magistrates’ retreat, a N5m robe allowance and proceeds from e-affidavits.
After hearing all parties and their witnesses, the investigation committee ruled that the joint petition by the Attorney-General and others was incompetent, noting that questions surrounding their membership of the Judicial Service Commission were already before a court of law.
While holding that the remaining petitioners had the locus standi to submit their complaints, the committee found that the suspension of judiciary staff followed due process and did not amount to misconduct.
It also held that issues relating to staff promotion and training were within the statutory responsibilities of the Osun State Judicial Service Commission.
On the financial allegations, the committee concluded that there was no evidence to show that Justice Ojo diverted or personally benefited from any of the funds referenced in the petitions.
The NJC said all parties were afforded fair hearing during the investigation process, adding that the committee sat on several occasions with all parties represented by counsel and witnesses called in support of their respective cases.
It stated that none of the allegations amounted to judicial misconduct or a breach of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“Accordingly, it recommended that all the petitions be dismissed, a recommendation which the Council accepted in full,” the NJC said.
