A former governor of Osun State, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the embattled Chief Judge of the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo allegedly connived to frustrate cases instituted by members of the defunct The Osun Progressives (TOP) against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.
According to a group, Center for the Enforcement of Democratic Values (CADEVA), the duo exchanged several WhatsApp messages that allegedly led to judgements in favour of Oyetola’s men against loyalists of his predecessor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Led by Barrister Afolabi Popoola, the group cited varying circumstances of the accusations, which it said has prompted it to send a petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), against Justice Adepele-Ojo.
CADEVA in its position paper noted that contents of the leaked WhatsApp messages between Oyetola and Adepele-Ojo showed how cases involving TOP members were discontinued without fair hearing, by Judges acting on the instruction of the embattled Chief Judge.
The alleged complicit between the Minister and the CJ according to Popoola also included instructing any judge who was adjudicating over political matters, particularly any case filed by Ogbeni Aregbesola or members of the now dissolved The Osun Progressives TOP against Oyetola or his group to favour the immediate-past governor or transferring any judge who refused to do their bidding, and replacing such with judges that they could control.
“It could be recalled that a case; Olubunmi Odetayo v Gboyega Famodun and others HIK/58/2021 filed by Aregbesola’s group in 2021 suffered controversial dismissal when Hon Justice Jide Falola was took off the case by Justice Ojo and replaced with Hon. Justice Sikiru Oke who was a former legal consultant to Mr Oyetola. Oke summarily dismissed the case without any reason.
“Also, Tutu Olanrewaju v Tajudeen Lawal HOS/M.508/2023, another case by Aregbesola’s group witnessed massive violence against the litigants and even Court Officials.
“It has now been revealed that Mr Oyetola and Justice Adepele-Ojo were behind the illegal acts within the judiciary during Oyetola’s administration.
“How can a former governor be dictating to a CJ on what should be the outcome of cases filed in the courts?” the group queried.
Popoola said the essence of his group petition to the NJC “is to investigate this matter without delay”, saying all documentary evidences have been forwarded to the Council for verification.
Osun Defender had last week reported how Governor Ademola Adeleke, acting on the recommendations of the state House of Assembly forwarded petitions seeking the removal of the CJ to the NJC, on allegations of highhandedness, gross corruption and abuse of office.
Also, members of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) in Osun State sealed off the premises of the state high court in Osogbo, over the matter just as the union declared an indefinite strike till it demands are met.
Source: Daily Independent
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
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