The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) strongly condemns the suspension of Osun State Chief Judge Oyebola Ojo by the state government.
The governor, Ademola Adeleke, appointed Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge, defying an order from the National Industrial Court.
The NBA, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Lawal, deems Ojo’s removal unlawful and an unwarranted assault on the judiciary.
The statement emphasizes that the constitutional provisions were ignored, describing the actions of the governor and state lawmakers as an abuse of the rule of law.
Lawal cites the case between Nganjiwa and FRN, highlighting that a Chief Judge cannot be removed without the involvement of the National Judicial Council.
He asserts that the law has settled that any misconduct attached to the office of a judicial officer must first be reported to and determined by the NJC.
The NBA expresses concern over the Osun government’s disregard for the court order restraining the removal of the Chief Judge.
The statement insists that all decisions of the court must be obeyed and complied with until set aside by a superior court of competent jurisdiction.
Lawal emphasizes that the NBA does not recognize Justice Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State.
The association vows to take all necessary steps to challenge what it perceives as impunity and a brazen abuse of office, stressing the importance of upholding the constitutional doctrine of separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
