Oyo NBA vows to ensure CJ’s removal

James Bwala, Maiduguri - 07.05.2008

The Oyo State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) on Tuesday in Ibadan said it would fight to ensure the removal from office of the Oyo State Chief Judge, Justice Isaiah Olakanmi.

The state Chairman of the NBA, Mr. Obafunso Ogunkeye, spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of the refusal by the police to arrest Olakanmi as requested by the association.

NBA had asked the police to apprehend the chief judge over his refusal to quit office, as directed by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The police, however, said that it was only the court that could order his arrest. Ogunkeye told NAN that the association would take action at the expiration of the seven-day ultimatum given to the police to arrest the embattled chief judge.

The ultimatum expires next Monday. Ogunkeye, who called on the public to stop recognising Olakunmi as the state’s chief judge, said his continued stay in office was a breach of Section 107 (1) and (2) of the Criminal Code Laws of Oyo State.

The NBA chief described as an aberration, Olakanmi’s decision to continue in office and assigning cases to himself and other judges.