Over 100 magistrates in Ondo state have been suspended by the Ondo State Judicial Service Commission under Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.
According
to a report by The Punch, the commission suspended the magistrates
serving in the state judiciary over impropriety in the process of their
appointments.
It was also reported that
over 100 magistrates heading different magistrate courts across
magisterial divisions of the state were affected.
The
affected judicial officers were directed to handover the properties of
the government in their possession to the chief registrar.
The suspension letter dated September 13, 2017, was signed by the secretary of the commission, Mr. Z.D. Egbunu, and sent to all the affected magistrates.
The letter read,
“Due
to perceived irregularities and lack of due process in your appointment
as a Senior Registrar( functioning as Staff Attorney) in the Ondo State
Judiciary within the judicial service of the state, the Honorable
Acting Chief Judge/Chairman of the JSC has directed your immediate
suspension from the judicial service pending plenary consideration and
review of the propriety of your appointment.”
The
report also claimed that most of the affected magistrates were
allegedly appointed by the immediate past administration of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko.