At least 200 workers in the Ondo state Judicial Service Commission (JSC), have been suspended by the Rotimi Akeredolu-led state government with immediate effect.
Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu
Ondo State Government has suspended about 200 workers in the state Judicial Service Commission (JSC).
Those affected were judges, magistrates, senior registrars and registrars at both High and Magistrate courts of the state.
The affected judiciary staff were said to be those employed by the administration of former governor, Olusegun Mimiko.
In a letter by the JSC Secretary, on behalf of the state government, Chief Z. D. Egbunu and addressed to the acting Chief Registrar of the High Court, the state government noted that the affected staff were employed without due process.
The letter also indicated that the appointment of the affected workers was irregular, hence government’s action.
The two-paragraph letter reads: “Due to perceived irregularities and lack of due process in your appointment as a senior registrar (functioning as attorneys) in Ondo State judiciary within the Judicial Service Commission, the acting chief judge and chairman of the commission has directed your immediate suspension pending plenary consideration and propriety of your appointment process.”
The letter also directed the affected officers to handover government’s property in their custody.
It was alleged that Governor Rotimi Akeredolu approved the suspension of the judiciary workers.
Akeredolu was said to have directed the JSC to investigate the appointment of some judiciary workers, especially magistrate and judges.