NEWS
Adeleke Appoints Replacement After CJ’s Suspension
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has promptly named Justice Olayinka Afolabi as the acting Chief Judge of the state.
This decision comes in response to the House of Assembly’s resolution, with the suspension of Chief Judge Justice Adepele Ojo being previously sanctioned by Governor Adeleke.
The announcement was made by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, in a statement from Osogbo on Thursday.
Justice Afolabi steps into the position based on seniority within the judiciary hierarchy.
In a statement, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, conveyed that the House had given its approval for the suspension of Chief Judge Justice Adepele Ojo during its plenary session.
The statement partly reads “Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the governor, the deputy governor has been directed by the governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the acting Chief Judge of Osun State which will be held tomorrow at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo.”
During the plenary session, the Assembly, as outlined by the Speaker’s Press Secretary, Tiamiyu Olamide, decided to address the petitions against Justice Adepele Ojo by assigning the investigation to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Legal Matters. The committee will extend an invitation to Ojo for further inquiry.
A deadline of seven days was assigned to the House Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions, and Legal Matters to present its findings to the Assembly.
The statement read, “This decision was taken during the plenary on Thursday, the House also resolved that pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State Honourable Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation.
“This House decision is in line with the investigative powers vested on the House of Assembly by the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“The Executive Arm was also advised to immediately swear in the next judge in order of seniority as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State in order not to create a vacuum in the office while the executive was also advised to notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolution of the House.”
The suspended Chief Judge has taken legal action against Governor Adeleke, the state Attorney General, and the Osun State Judicial Service Commission by filing a lawsuit before the National Industrial Court in Ibadan, Oyo State.
On Thursday, the suspended CJ, represented by her lawyer, Mr. Oladipo Olasope (SAN), secured an interim order preventing the governor and other defendants from removing her from office.
Justice J.D. Peters, ruling on the motion ex parte marked NICN/IB/6123, made “an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants by themselves or their agents or privies howsoever so-called from interfering with removing, reversing or terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the applicant as the as the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State including but not limited to salaries and other pecuniary benefits pending the determination of the interlocutory application.”
Similarly, the judge issued a comparable order in the case of Michael Obidiya, the Secretary to the Osun State Judicial Service Commission, who sued the governor to prevent his intended removal. The hearings for Motions on Notice for both cases have been adjourned until December 12.
The entire 10 communities of the old Ohaozara Local Government Area, known as Ohanivo, of Ebonyi State have been reverberating with joy, because their illustrious son, the Minister of Works, HE Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi emerged Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year.
Biztellers reports that Ohanivo is made up of three LGAs, including, Ohaozara, Onicha and Ivo, while the 10 autonomous communities are Uburu, Okposi, Aka Eze, Ishiagu, Isu, Onicha, Ugwulangwu, Ukawu, Abaomege, and Oshiri.
Feelers from the organisers of the glamourous awards, Silverbird Group, assure that plans have been fine-tuned for the annual event, billed for the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday.
There are indications that a strong team of community leaders including Chief Kenneth Eze, Uche Umezurike, Okoro Enekwachi, Francis Ekwe, Emma Nwaze, among others would be on ground to cheer the distinguished minister of works as he receives his well-deserved award.
ALSO READ: Edo Women Protest Against Natasha Over Akpabio
In a related development, the Member, House of Representatives, representing Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency, Hon. (Dr.) Kama Nkemkanma, has sent his congratulatory message to Sen Umahi.
Hon Nkemkanma’s message reads, “It is with deep pleasure that I convey the profound felicitations of my family and good people of Ohaozara/Onicha/Ivo Federal Constituency to our dear leader and achiever, His Excellency, Sen. Engr (Dr) Nweze David Umahi CON, FNSE, FNATE, GGCEHF, Honourable Minister of Works on his emergence as the Silverbird Most Outstanding Honourable Minister of the Year. Whom the cap fits, let him wear.
“Your Excellency, the initiative of this administration to construct the Renewed Hope four (4) legacy projects and the will power to continue the funding and construction of the inherited on-going projects across the six (6) Geo-political Zones are eloquent testimonies of the commitment of Mr President in unlocking the potentials of every segment of our country and building a regenerative economy for sustainable future. We are proud that you have unmitigated signature in this memory. May God continue to give you the flourishing grace and enablement to always be on top in your endeavours.
“Please accept the assurances of the prayers, solidarity, and esteemed regards of my constituents, always. Once more congratulations.”
The Kano State Government has addressed widespread misinterpretations surrounding the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the ongoing emirship dispute, urging the public to rely on accurate legal information.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Governor Abba Yusuf’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, clarified the ruling and the government’s position.
READ MORE: JUST IN: Court Of Appeal Orders Retrial In Kano Emirate Dispute
Speaking at a press briefing at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Kano, the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, explained that the Court of Appeal’s verdict, delivered on January 10, 2025, upheld the repeal of the Kano Emirate Council Law, 2019, effectively overturning the previous judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano.
However, Dederi noted that Alhaji Aminu Dan’agundi, who was dissatisfied with the ruling, has since filed an appeal at the Supreme Court.
He further stressed that the Appeal Court’s judgment remains binding until the Supreme Court rules otherwise.
Addressing concerns over the stay of execution recently granted by the Court of Appeal, the Attorney General described it as a standard legal procedure intended to maintain the status quo pending the Supreme Court’s final decision.
“The Kano State Government urges the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and avoid any form of provocation,” the statement read.
The government has also directed its legal team to thoroughly review the proceedings and determine the next steps in accordance with the law.
On behalf of the governor, Dederi expressed appreciation to the people of Kano for their patience, understanding, and continuous prayers for peace and progress in the state and the nation.
The emirship dispute has been a topic of intense debate in Kano, with various legal and political implications.
Tensions are rising in Rivers State as the Niger Delta Youth Council (NDYC) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, threatening to halt oil production in response to the ongoing political crisis in the state.
In a statement signed by its president, Bene Youkore Mamamu, and made available to journalists in Warri on Saturday, the group listed three key demands: the restoration of Rivers State’s statutory revenue allocation, an end to alleged impeachment moves against Governor Similaye Fubara, and a public retraction of reported anti-Ijaw remarks attributed to former Governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Rivers Chief Judge Under Probe For Alleged Age Falsification
The youth group warned of dire economic consequences if their demands were ignored.
“We are ready to shock the world in seven days. The oil that fuels this nation flows from our land, the fourth largest and most populated ethnic group in Nigeria. We will not allow Wike, who we suspect is being used by the Presidency, to sabotage our region and undermine Ijaw history,” the statement read.
The NDYC accused Wike of attempting to manipulate the political landscape of Rivers State and marginalize the Ijaw ethnic group, citing his reported comments describing the Ijaws as a “minority within a minority.”
The group labeled the remarks as “provocative, inflammatory, and a declaration of economic and political war.”
Further criticizing the Federal Government, the NDYC alleged that President Tinubu’s administration was enabling Wike’s interference in Rivers politics.
“We are angry that Tinubu’s government has empowered Wike and the Judiciary to undermine Ijaws and the Niger Delta region, with regular threats to impeach Governor Fubara, seize the state’s allocation, insult late Pa Edwin Clark, and rewrite the history of the Ijaw nation,” the letter continued.
With the deadline fast approaching, the NDYC has called on its members to prepare for action, warning that oil production across the region could be disrupted if their demands are not met.
The potential shutdown poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s economy, given that the Niger Delta remains the country’s primary source of crude oil revenue. A disruption could exacerbate economic challenges, including foreign exchange shortages and rising inflation.
Tragedy In Ogun: Police Inspector Found Dead At Factory
No Political Gang-Up Can Stop Tinubu’s Re-Election In 2027 – APC Chieftain
Eniola Bolaji Dominates Para-Badminton, Wins 12th Gold
Ohanivo Upbeat As Sen Umahi Emerges Silverbird’s Most Outstanding Minister Of The Year
I Need Help, I’ve Gone Back To Being A Boy – James Brown
