Justice Yinka Afolabi has allegedly refused to be sworn in as the acting Chief Judge of Osun State despite Governor Ademola Adeleke’s directive.
According to reports, the governor had instructed his deputy, Kola Adewusi, to swear in Justice Afolabi on Thursday following the suspension of Chief Judge Oyebola Ojo over misconduct allegations.
However, Justice Afolabi deliberately made himself unavailable for the swearing-in at the executive council lounge of the governor’s office. Sources say he went into a sort of self-imposed hiding and ignored entreaties to show up.
Justice Afolabi seems intent on avoiding truncating his judicial career by getting embroiled in the ongoing tussle between the state executive and judiciary.
Governor Adeleke suspended Justice Ojo this week over unspecified misconduct claims, drawing condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The NBA declared Afolabi’s appointment unconstitutional since due process was not followed in removing the substantive Chief Judge. It warned it does not recognize him as acting chief judge.
By ducking the swearing-in, Justice Afolabi appears to be distancing himself from the political interference in the state judiciary. Analysts believe he is wisely safeguarding his position and legacy.
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