Akure indigenes kick against CJ’s appointment

By Innocent Anaba
The people of Akure, in Ondo State, yesterday, protested against the appointment of Justice Sehinde Kumuyi as the Chief Justice of the state.

Their grouse was that Governor Segun Mimiko was unfair to them, arguing that Justice Isaiah Adegbenro, an indigene of the town was robbed of the coveted position.

The state government in a statement on Monday, had announced Kumuyi’s appointment as the state Chief Judge. The announcement,  however, did not go down well with people of the community.

Their reason was that Adegbenro followed Justice Gladys Olateru-Olagbegi, the retiring Chief Judge of the state, while Kumuyi came third in rank and in the tradition of appointment of a CJ, the most senior judge automatically occupies the office.

The people said that “this is the first time, however, the state appoints a junior judge over his senior as the CJ.”

A source closed to the protesters, said Kumuyi’s appointment was the second time that a position which was meant for an indigene of Akure would be taken from them and given to the Akoko indigene. “The first was the forceful resignation of the former Commissioner for Health, Mr. Adeola Adegbemiro,” the source said, adding that coincidentally the two victims are cousins.

The source added that Mimiko may have appointed Kumuyi because of long standing relationship.

According to the source, “investigation also revealed that there had been a grand design to prevent Adegbenro from becoming the Chief Judge.”

adding that it was gathered that about nine judges in the Ondo State judiciary wrote a petition on August 17, 2009 complaining of anomalies in the order of precedence of judges appointed in July 2002.

According to them, Adegbenro should not have been in the second position based on the year they were called to the bar.

The National Judicial Council, NJC, however, directed otherwise and advised the then CJ to maintain the status quo. According to the circular, Adegbenro before his appointment as a judge was a Permanent Secretary and should by his position in the civil service, come first in order of precedence of judges appointment

The letter was signed by Mr. Danladi Halilu, Secretary to the Chief Justice of the Federation and Chairman, National Judiciary Council.

All efforts to speak with officials of the state government proved abortive. The issue now is, why will the Governor, who got to the office through the rule of law be seen trampling the principle that brought him to office.