| Oyo CJ, Chief Registrar
on forced leave
By AKEEB ALARAPE, Ibadan
Thursday, October 7, 2004
The simmering crisis rocking the Oyo State Judiciary has
claimed its first casualties as the embattled Chief Judge,
Justice Isaiah Olakanmi, and the Chief Registrar, Mrs Gloria
U. Akinrinmade have been sent on compulsory leave. In a statement
issued by the Chief Media Officer (CMO) to the Governor, Mr
Adeola Oloko, the compulsory leave takes immediate effect.
Mrs Roseline Oyetunde has been named as the acting Chief Judge.
According to the release, the action of the state government
became necessary ‘following the decision of the State
Judiciary Service Commission to investigate allegations of
financial impropriety and maladministration against the duo.
"This is to enable all parties have a free, fair and
independent environment to operate," the statement stated
In effect, a three-man Panel of Enquiry headed by a retired
Judge of the State High Court, Hon. Justice Lambe Arasi would
be inaugurated today Wednesday to look into the allegations.
Other members of the panel included Barrister Abdul Rahim
Adebayo Shittu of the Judicial Service Commission, Mrs L.
Olapade, Auditor -General of the State while Mrs B.
Oyewumi of the State House of Assembly would act as Secretary.
Meanwhile, Mrs Boyede Akintola, the Deputy Chief Registrar
has been asked to hold forte for the suspended Chief Registrar
pending the investigation of the panel.
Interestingly, activities marking the new legal year of the
State Judiciary kicked off Monday but with some of the judges
staying off the Guards of Honour mounted for the CJ.
Out of 23 High Court Judges in the State, only 12 accompanied
the CJ to inspect the Guards of Honour others were said to
have boycotted the ceremony.
Daily Sun authoritatively gathered that trouble started for
the CJ and his Chief Registrar few months ago when some people
petitioned the State House of Assembly over how he relates
to his colleagues through the Chief Registrar.
The comprehensive story about the petition and the rot in
the State Judiciary which was exclusively published by Saturday
Sun of August 28 edition, later deepened the crisis between
the CJ and other members of the Bench in the State.
The 23 Judges in the State were said to have met and signed
an undertaking September 30 to boycott part of the activities
slated for the new legal year ceremony.
A staff in the Registrar’s office, Monday, also confided
in the Daily Sun that the published story actually caused
ripples in the State Judiciary as some of the Judges call
for the head of the CJ in their bid to sanitise the state
legal services.
|
