TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has ordered Rotimi Akeredolu, Ondo governor, and the state house of assembly to halt the probe of Oluwatoyin Akeredolu, chief judge of the state, over a viral video made by one Olupelumi Fagboyegun.

Fagboyegun had in the video circulated on social media, accused the chief judge of abusing her office and influencing his prolonged detention.

Consequently, the governor directed the state attorney-general to carry out an investigation into the allegation.

The CJ then filed a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/2016/2021 against the governor, the National Judicial Council (NJC), the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), Ondo attorney-general, the state house of assembly and the inspector-general of police (IGP), alleging that there was a plot to remove her from office.

Delivering the judgment on Thursday, Inyang Ekwo, judge, held that the governor, the AG and the house of assembly lacked the constitutional powers to probe allegations of official misconduct made against the CJ.

He held it is only the NJC that is empowered under the constitution to probe allegations of official misconduct against any judge.

Ekwo set aside all steps taken in the investigation and granted an order of perpetual injunction, restraining all the defendants from further taking any steps in relation to the case.