PUNCH
The National Industrial Court of Nigeria, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo State, has restrained the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from removing the State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo and Michael Obidiya, as the secretary of the state Judicial Service Commission.
The court gave the orders following two separate suits filed by Ojo and Obidiya through their counsel, Oladipo Olasope.
Ojo in a suit number NICN/IB/6123 filed by her counsel, had dragged Adeleke before the court and joined in the matter, Osun State Attorney General, Osun State Judicial Service Commission and the state Accountant General.
The claimant in a motion ex-parte dated November 15, 2023, prayed the court for an order of interim injunction, restraining the defendants from removing, reversing, or terminating her appointment and conditions of service as the Chief Judge of Osun State, “including but not limited to salaries and other pecuniary benefits, pending the determination of the interlocutory application.”
Ojo also sought an order mandating the 4th defendant to continue to pay her salary, entitlements, emoluments, remuneration and other benefits as the Chief Judge of Osun State, pending the determination of the interlocutory application.
Upon hearing Olasope, counsel to the claimant, D. Peters, subsequently held, “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 here issued mandatory for the 4th Defendant to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments and other benefits and money the Applicant is entitled to the Hon. Chief Judge of Osun State pending the determination of the interlocutory application.”
The court adjourned the matter for hearing of the pending motion on notice till December 12, 2023.
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