The National Judicial Council (NJC) has constituted a committee to investigate several allegations of abuse of office against Justice Adepele Ojo, the Chief Judge of Osun State.

The NJC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, disclosed this in a statement after its 107th meeting in mid-November 2024. The council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, signed the statement.

The statement read: “The council also appointed a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice OA Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.”

The investigation stems from a petition filed by Temitope Fasina, an Osun-based activist, who sought an audit of Justice Ojo’s activities.

In the petition dated October 14, 2024, and received by the NJC, Fasina, through his lawyer SM Essienkek, accused Justice Ojo of abuse of office, disobedience of court orders, mismanagement of public funds and unilateral suspension of judicial staff, among other allegations.

The activist highlighted what she termed “ongoing irregularities, corruption and persuasion” allegedly characterizing the Osun State Judiciary under the leadership of Justice Ojo.

The petition referred to other grievances, including submissions by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) to the Osun State House of Assembly and the NJC. Fasina cited irregularities in the judiciary’s audited accounting, and claimed that funds allocated for training and development of staff were not being used properly.

She further alleged instances of expenditure without supporting documentation, which contravened the Osun State Government Financial Regulations Law.

A specific allegation described how the state High Court had on November 13, 2019 directed the forfeiture of N7.4 million held in connection with the Chief Registrar of Osun State High Court to the Osun State Government. Fasina alleged that Justice Ojo then ordered the money to be paid into a secret account without authorisation.

The petitioner urged the CJN to look into the allegations, arguing that Justice Ojo is “unfit to remain a Judge and Chief Judge of Osun State.”