NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO–03/12/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has denied plan to issue a fresh staff of office to Taiwo Adegboye, as the Alawo of Awo, describing as untrue reports in some section of the media that his administration is taking steps contrary to the dictate of rule of laws.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke clarified that Taiwo Adegboye was installed as the Alawo of Awo in September 2021 and was subsequently issued staff of office by the Administration of Gboyega Oyetola.

Mallam Rasheed reiterated the commitment of the Adeleke administration to the rule of law, saying that the government will not do anything to impugn judicial decisions or tamper with peace and stability of any community in the society.

“We are constrained to inform the public that insinuations of plan by the Adeleke administration to issue fresh staff of office on Awo stool are untrue. The crisis on the Awo stool preceded the administration of Governor Adeleke as Taiwo Adegboye, who is at the centre of the issue, was installed as Alawo several months before his (Adeleke) assumption of office,” the statement noted.

“It is worth noting that he (Taiwo Adegboye) was issued staff of office by the previous administration, and so, it is unfounded that Adeleke is planning to issue a staff of office that has already been issued.

“As a government committed to the fairness and rule of law, we recognizes the right of Taiwo Adegboye to exhaust legal option on the Obaship tussle, which at the moment is before the Supreme Court.

“We must also note that Taiwo Adegboye has sought a stay of execution on the judgement of the Appeal Court, hence, the government decision to maintain status quo pending the full determination of the litigation.

“Available information is that Taiwo Adegboye is celebrating the anniversary of his installation and not installation or presentation of new staff of office as erroneously being speculated.”

Mallam Rasheed enjoins the public, particularly the people of Awo to disregard concoctions and deliberate misinformation on the Awo Obaship, noting Governor Adeleke’s commitment to the path of legality and rule of law.

“Governor Adeleke will not do anything to distort traditions and well established procedures on kingship matters, and we want to urge the public to discountenance any information contrary to this commitment,” he added.

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO– 25/11/2023– Osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated the Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, on the conferment of the traditional title of Akinrogun of Gbongan town by the Olufi of Gbongan, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adetoyese Babayemi.

Governor Adeleke describes the Akinrogun title bestowed on Chief Momodu as a recognition of his values and contributions, eulogizing him as a great asset for the society.

He acknowledges Chief Momodu’s dedication to the promotion of growth and social integration, pointing out the Akinrogun title is a reflection of the high regard in which he is held.

“I congratulate my dear friend, Chief Dele Momodu on the conferment of the Akinrogun of Gbongan by HRM Oba Adetoyese Babayemi, the Olufi of Gbongan,” Governor Adeleke noted.

“This new Chieftaincy title echoes the enormous values placed in the person of Chief Momodu. It underscores Chief Momodu’s endearing records of contributions and impacts in the society.

“I share with him the joy of the moment and pray that this esteemed role conferred on you by the Akinrogun title continue to be a source of strength and conviction for contributing to the society.”

Signed:
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
The Spokesperson to the Osun State Governor

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 17/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The Government of Osun State has opened up on the leadership issue within the Osun State Judiciary, informing the public that the petition and preliminary actions on the Osun state Chief Judge have been sent to the National Judicial Council (NJC), affirming that Governor Adeleke has not defied any court order.

It should also be noted that the Osun State House of Assembly that confirmed the appointment of Mrs Adepele Ojo and asked her to step aside is not a party to any ongoing case or Court Order.

It is safe to assert that all that are being posted online are mere stunts as the government is not aware of any pending case at this material moment.

We also call the attention of the public that the misappropriated money over which investigation is being carried out were appropriated by the State House of Assembly and the body has constitutional right to inquire how money it appropriated was applied.

The staff of Osun State Judiciary, who are being denied their right by the Chief Judge and some of who joined in the petition, are employees of the Osun State Government under the authority of OSHA.

We re-assure the public that appropriate representation has been made to National Judicial Council, over the development and we affirm that the Chief Judge was not suspended by the Governor, as being mischievously represented by some sections of the media.

Rather, it is the State Assembly on the premise that an official cannot be on the seat whilst investigation is ongoing, that asked the Chief Judge to step aside . The Governor only acted on the resolution of the House.

To ensure there is no vacuum, the Governor appointed an Acting Chief Judge, as prescribed by the Constitution in a situation like this.

It is therefore the responsibility of the State Assembly to inform the public, NJC, and the Governor about its findings, on the conclusion of its investigation, and also make resolutions on the next line of action.

We want to put it on record that the Governor is a law-abiding person and will not do anything to compromise the rule of law.

Whenever the court processes are served on the persons listed as Defendants in the alleged suit ( if any), they would take appropriate steps to react.

Signed
Oluomo Kolapo Alimi,
Honourable Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment

NEWS RELEASE

OSOGBO – 16/11/2023 – Osunstate.gov.ng

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly asking the Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo to step aside pending investigation of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption and disregard for rule of law against her by the House of Assembly.

In the resolution of the Osun Assembly sitting today 16th November, 2023, the House resolved that the Executive should be informed of the House resolution and that the next in order of seniority to Justice Adepele Ojo be sworn-in immediately to avoid any vacuum in the third arm of government in Osun State.

The House had earlier resolved as follows:

“Having received various petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State bothering on gross misconducts, abuse of office, corruption and lack of respect for due process and rule of law, this Honourable House, in performance of its oversight functions and exercise of its investigative powers vested by the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) hereby resolved as follows:

1. The the Executive should immediately notify the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission of the resolutions of this House immediately for their awareness.
2. That the Clerk of this House should forward the resolutions of this House to the Executive, the National Judicial Council and the State Judicial Service Commission
3. That the Committee on Judiciary, Public Petitions and Legal Matters investigate the petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo, by inviting the Chief Judge and report to the House within 7 days from today.
4. That pending the outcome of the investigation, the Chief Judge of Osun State, Honourable Justice Adepele Ojo should step aside, not for any disciplinary action, but to allow for proper investigation of the allegations
5. That while she steps aside pending the investigation, the Executive Governor should immediately swear-in the next judge in order of Seniority as the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State.

Meanwhile, following the approval of the resolution of the House by the Governor, the Deputy-Governor has been directed by the Governor to perform the swearing-in ceremony of the Acting Chief Judge of Osun State which will be held tomorrow at the Executive Lounge, Governor’s Office, Osogbo.

Signed
Mallam Olawale Rasheed,
Spokesperson to the State Governor