Osun CJ: No Judicial Officer Will Be Shielded If Found Guilty – NJC

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has said that it would not shield the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice Adepele Ojo, or any judicial officer if found guilty of any misconduct.

The NJC said the investigation into the allegation of misconduct by Justice Ojo will not be swept under the carpet, stating that its findings on the probe would be made public when concluded.

Mr. Soji Oye, the Director of Information of the NJC, in a statement on Monday, said a committee is already in place to look into the allegations against Justice Ojo.

Oye said once the preliminary committee finishes sitting, it will send its report to another party which will invite parties involved with their lawyers.

He said: “The NJC is like a court for judges accused of wrongdoings. The preliminary committee has already been set up to look into the allegations.

“The committee will look at the petition and decide whether it has merit or not. After it has been looked into and it is established that it has merit, another committee, like a court, will be set up, where parties will appear with their lawyers to argue the petition.

“The two sides will be invited to appear with their lawyers to defend themselves. It is after this that the council will sit and consider the findings and make it public.”

In the petition before the NJC, some aggrieved members of Osun State Judiciary accused the chief judge of breach of the code of conduct for public officers.

They claimed that Justice Ojo allegedly engaged in misappropriation of public funds, illegal virement, disobedience of court order, diversion of funds, and general abuse of office.