Akeredolu Orders Probe into Allegations against Ondo Chief Judge

By James Sowole

Ondo State Governor, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, yesterday ordered an investigation into the reported remand of one Oluwapelumi Fagboyegun for three years allegedly by the state Chief Judge, Justice Olanrewaju Fagboyegun.

The governor’s action was sequel to a viral video in which Fagboyegun alleged that the state judiciary was being run as a private affair.

Fagboyegun had in the video, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to rescue him from the hands of the Ondo State judiciary “that is being run like a family affair, and that if you don’t know anybody, you cannot get justice.”

He alleged that state judiciary and courts were being used by the state Chief Judge to persecute him and keep him in custody for the past three years on trumped up criminal allegation of unlawful entry into his father’s house.

In his reaction through his Twitter handle, Akeredolu said: “I have instructed my Attorney General to investigate the allegation. We will ensure the investigation is thorough, fair and transparent.”

Acting on the directive of the state governor, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Charles Titiloye, directed the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) to immediately investigate the allegation made against the state Chief Judge.

The attorney general, in a statement signed by his Personal Assistant, Adenike Akinbosade, noted that the investigation into the matter would be thorough, fair and transparent in order to assure the public that the governor is determined to preserve the integrity of the court and the judiciary as well as ensure that it remains the last hope of the common man.

He, therefore, directed that the DPP should report back to him within 24 hours.