By Tunde Olamilekan
The National Judicial Council, NJC, has cleared the Chief Judge of Osun State, Hon. Justice Oyebola Ojo, of all allegations bordering on financial recklessness, diversion of funds, and judicial misconduct.
The Council, in a statement it made available to newsmen, said the decision was taken at its 110th meeting, held on Tuesday.
According to the statement, a staff member of the Osun State Customary Court of Appeal and Chairman of the Osun State chapter of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), Mr Eludire G. Kunle, alongside three others, had petitioned the NJC, accusing Ojo of misconduct.
Similarly, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbediran, Mrs Temitope Opeoluwa Fasina, and a joint petition by the Osun State Attorney-General, Hon. Oluwole Jimi Bada, together with four purported members of the State Judicial Service Commission, were filed against the Osun Chief Judge.
The petitioners alleged, among others, unilateral suspension of judiciary staff, selective promotion of staff, stoppage of training programmes, disobedience of court orders, and misappropriation of funds, including an alleged diversion of N7.4 million meant for judges’ and magistrates’ retreat, N5 million robe allowance, and proceeds from e-affidavits.
However, the statement said, “The committee sat on several occasions. All parties were represented by counsel and called witnesses in support of their respective cases.
“The committee ruled that the petition filed by the Attorney-General and others on behalf of the State Judicial Service Commission was incompetent, as issues relating to their membership were already pending before a court of law.
“However, it held that the remaining petitioners had the requisite locus standi to institute their petitions.
“It found that the suspension of judiciary staff followed due process, having been recommended by the appropriate disciplinary committee, and did not constitute misconduct.
“The Committee further held that matters relating to staff training and promotion fall within the statutory responsibilities of the State Judicial Service Commission.”
“It also found no evidence that Hon. Justice Ojo diverted robe allowances, misappropriated funds meant for a foreign retreat, withheld proceeds from e-affidavits, or personally benefited from any of the financial transactions complained of.
“The Committee concluded 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 the Council accepted in full,” the statement added.
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