NJC rejects Lakanmi as Oyo CJ

By Akin Durodola - 19.02.2008

IF the report that the Na- tional Judicial Council (NJC) has disapproved the appointment of Justice Isaiah Lakanmi as the substantive Chief Judge of Oyo State is anything to go by, he may be removed from the office anytime from now.

Nigerian Tribune gathered that following the recommendation made by the state government to the NJC on the appointment of Justice Lakanmi, the judicial council disapproved the appointment. The reason, it was gathered, might not be unconnected with the earlier sack of Justice Lakanmi by the immediate past administration of Senator Rashidi Ladoja, following petitions that he allegedly misappropriated judiciary funds.

Though the state government was said to have been briefed about the development, it seems it was not ready to abide with the recommendation. The argument of the present governor, according to sources, is that “Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, when he resumed, reinstated Lakanmi after the 35 years mandatory retirement of Justice Afolabi Adeniran, because he wanted to deviate from the retrogressive routine of having three consecutive acting chief judges.”

It was gathered that he opted for Justice Lakanmi who was a substantive chief judge before his ouster in 2005. But the NJC, the Nigerian Tribune gathered, had decided not to rescind its earlier decision on this, a situation that the Oyo chief judge may not be recognised by the NJC.

The state government said it was ready to uphold the rule of law no matter how discomforting it might appear.