In spite of a restraining order from the National Industrial Court that prohibited Adeleke from removing or interfering with the judiciary, the governor proceeded to suspend the Chief Judge. Without delay, he replaced her with Justice Yinka Afolabi as the Acting CJ.
According to a statement released by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday, the governor endorsed the House of Assembly’s decision, asking the Chief Judge to step aside based on allegations of misconduct.
However, SERAP issued a statement on Saturday, urging Governor Adeleke to promptly reinstate the Chief Judge, condemning her removal as unlawful.
The statement emphasized the need to halt the recurring pattern of authoritarian assaults on the rule of law and threatened legal action if the perceived illegality persisted.
Additionally, the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) criticized the governor for suspending the state Chief Judge despite the House of Assembly’s recommendation.
The NBA, through its spokesperson, Barrister Akorede Habeeb Lawal, asserted that it would not acknowledge Justice Afolabi if sworn in as the Acting CJ.