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The Osun State House of Assembly on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to constitutional role in riding the judiciary in the state of corruption, noting that its resolution for the Chief Judge of the state, Adepele Ojo, to step aside was in line with the natural rule of fairness and transparency.
The House made this disclosure on Wednesday when it received members of the Judicial Service Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) at the Assembly complex in continuation of its protest against the embattled CJ’s management of the state’s judiciary.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Hon (Barr) Kanmi Ajibola who addressed the protesting judicial workers on behalf of the House, said the legislature actions was geared towards cleaning the judiciary of corruption in order to restore confidence of the people.
Hon. Ajibola dismissed as unfounded insinuations in some quarters that the steps taken on the CJ was motivated by interests outside a better judiciary, pointing out that the lawmaking-arm of government have a duty imposed on it by the constitution to exercise oversight function on the two other arms of government.
“We appreciate your presence here. And there is a Committee sitting on some petitions, which we are members. For that reason, you find us to lead what will be said on this platform,” he noted.
“But let me state clearly, we received some petitions against the CJ, and there are reports accompanying those petitions that if the CJ is allowed into her office, that there are some documents that will be tampered with, that will distort the investigation.
“And on this note, the people that brought petitions, they are entitled to fair hearing. The CJ, whom petition was brought against is also entitled to fair hearing. But to balance justice with fair hearing in this case, the House sat and decided that while this investigation is on, and for the security of documents that have been said, in which go into the foundation of the case we are having before us, the CJ should step aside.”
Speaking earlier, JUSUN led by its Chairman, Comrade Oluwagbemiga Eludire, said they are at the Osun Assembly to enlist the support of the legislative branch of government in saving them from the unfair treatment they are getting from the embattled CJ, detailing several cases of abuse of office and disregard for their rights as workers by the CJ.
He explained how the Honourable CJ forced herself into the High Court Complex this morning with the support of police tear gassing and shooting sporadically against his colleagues who had picketed her office since on Monday demanding for the reinstatement of their colleagues that are unjustly suspended since 2021 and immediate payment of their allowances.
JUSUN called on the Assembly to look to issues bedeviling the judiciary in the state, saying they stand firmly with the House on steps that will clean the judiciary and make it more effective.
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