A national industrial court sitting in Ibadan, Oyo state, has barred the Osun state government from removing the chief judge of the state, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo.
In a motion ex-parte dated 15th November, obtained by Blueprint, the claimant, Justice Oyebola Adepele-Ojo, sought an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants – Governor of Osun, Attorney General of Osun, Osun Judicial Service Commission, and Accountant General of Osun, from removing her pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
After hearing the lead counsel to the claimant, Oladipo Olasope SAN, the court granted the order as prayed.
“An order of interim injunction is issued 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 Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State including but not limited to salaries and other pecuniary benefits pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
“An order is hereby issued mandatory for the 4th defendant to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments, and other benefits and money the applicant is entitled to as the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
“Taking cognizance of the gender of the applicant as a wife, a mother, and a grandmother, the defendant as the Chief Security Officer of Osun State with keys to all security apparatus is ordered and directed to ensure adequate protection to the applicant from all forms of harassment and all quarters pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.
“Finally, it is directed that the 2nd defendant as the Chief Law Officer of Osun State will appropriately advise the
Defendants in general and the 1st defendant in particular on the imperative of complying fully with the orders of this court.
“This order together with all other processes in this case shall be served on the defendants immediately. The case is adjourned to 12/12/2023 to hear the pending Motion on Notice. Hearing Notice is to be issued and served on the defendants with proof of same in the file,” the court held.
