The National Judicial Council (NJC) has reinstated the Osun State Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, earlier suspended by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The NJC decided at the end of its 104th meeting held from December 6 to December 7, 2023, presided over by Justice Kayode Ariwoola.
The council, through a statement by its Director of Information, Barr. Soji Oye, stated: “Council considered and declined the request of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State requesting its permission to swear in the next Most Senior Judge in the State in an acting capacity, following allegations leveled against Hon. Justice Adepele Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State and the resolution of the State House of Assembly to suspend him.
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“The Council affirmed that Hon. Justice Ojo is still the recognized Chief Judge of Osun State, and would not work on the resolution of a State House of Assembly, as it is the only body constitutionally empowered to investigate Judicial Officers and recommend same for any action to the Governor. Consequently, Osun State should revert to status quo.”
Also, the Council recommended the compulsory retirement of Osun State High Court judge, Justice S. O. Falola.
He was found guilty of granting a Garnishee Order Absolute against Polaris Bank for the sum of N283,174,000.00 in a questionable manner.
It said the investigation committee held that Falola traveled to Lagos to visit the Counsel of the Bank in his Chambers on the issue of Garnishee Proceedings an action which it described as unprofessional.
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It read, “The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, at its 104th Meeting of 6 & 7 December 2023 has recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice S. O. Falola of Osun State High Court from the Bench.
“The recommendation was made sequel to the findings of an Investigation Committee in a petition written against His Lordship by Mr. Dapo Kolapo Olowo and Polaris Bank for granting a Garnishee Order Absolute against the Bank for the sum of N283,174,000.00 questionably and strangely, and endorsement of the Order, attaching the account of the Garnishee with another Garnishee and not the account of the Judgment Debtor who had the legal obligation to pay the supposed judgment sum.
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“It further found the conduct of the subject Judge traveling to Lagos to visit the Counsel of the Bank in his Chambers on the issue of Garnishee Proceedings, unbecoming of the standard expected of a Judicial Officer.”
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