Just In: Afolabi Fails To Show Up For Swearing-In As Osun Acting CJ

The swearing-in of Justice David Olayinka Afolabi as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State scheduled to hold today did not hold, Osun Defender gathered.

Recalled that the state Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, was on Thursday asked by the Osun State House of Assembly to step aside to allow for an investigation into petitions against her.

Justice Afolabi, who is the next in line on the order of seniority was immediately appointed as the acting Chief Judge by the governor, Ademola Adeleke, with his swearing-in slated for Friday.

The Deputy Governor, Mr. Kola Adewusi, was directed by the Governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony.

But the medium learnt that no such event took place at the Government Secretariat in Abere on Friday.

According to sources, Adewusi was in Abuja when announcements that suspended Ojo and appointed Afolabi were made.

The Deputy Governor was however said to had arrived in the state and was in his office before the close of work on Friday.

But Afolabi was however not seen around the Governor’s Office till the close of work today.

The Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. Kolapo Alimi, when contacted, said the event did not hold because certain procedures must be followed.

Alimi said a resolution of the House of Assembly suspending Ojo had been sent to the National Judicial Council.

He however said the swearing-in ceremony did not hold for all conditions to be fulfilled, adding that the deputy governor who was to perform the exercise was also outside Osun and would only return in the evening.

Alimi said he was unaware if Afolabi deliberately did not present himself for swearing-in.

He said, “I am unaware that the Acting CJ refused to take over. When the announcement was made, the deputy governor was out of Osun. He was in Abuja but he was instructed to carry out the function.

“As of 4pm on Friday, the Deputy Governor had not arrived in Ibadan. As we are speaking, the Deputy Governor will just be arriving the state. The deputy governor has sent the resolution of the House to the NJC informing the body of the development here. The event did not hold because we are trying to follow procedure.”