Akeredolu Bows To Pressure, Appoints Kinsman As Acting Chief Judge

The governor of Ondo, Rotimi Akeredolu, has appointed Oluwatoyin Akeredolu as the new acting chief judge of the state, after months of a legal battle that sought the removal of Justice Temitayo Osoba.

Osoba took over as acting chief judge shortly before the assumption of office by Akeredolu in February.

An Akure-based lawyer, Femi Emodamori, had instituted a suit at the state High Court, querying the eligibility of Osoba.

Despite being dragged to court over the eligibility of Justice Osoba, Akeredolu was reluctant to make any change until recently when the NJC gave a directive for the dissolution of the state judicial commission and an appointment of an acting chief judge as stipulated by the relevant laws, Premium Times reports.

Announcing the new appointment on Saturday, a statement from the governor’s office, signed by his press officer, Adeyanju Kola, said Akeredolu’s appointment as the Chief Judge of Ondo State took effect from Saturday, July 22, 2017.

“This, according to the letter of appointment signed by the Governor of Ondo State, is in pursuant of section 271(15)of the 1999 constitution as amended,” the statement read.

“Also according to the letter, the appointment is based on the recommendation of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of National Judicial Council.”

Until her appointment, Justice Akeredolu was the head of criminal division in Ondo State High Court.

The statement also added that she would be sworn in on Monday July 24, 2017.