Ondo Sacks 190 Magistrates, Senior Registrars Over Irregular Appointments
The Ondo State judiciary has sacked about 190 Magistrates and Senior Registrars over what it called “irregular appointments” into judicial services.
A letter titled ‘Letter of Suspension’ dated September 13, 2017 made available to journalists read that about 70 magistrates and Senior Registrars have received letters of suspension or termination of appointments at the weekend.
It was also learnt that others who are yet to get their letters would get it within the week.
Most affected by the purge in the state judiciary include Magistrates and Senior Registrars employed by the State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) between 2011 and 2016.
The Chief Judge of the state by the act setting up the State JSC is the Chairman and it was learnt that Justices Olaseinde Kumuyi (rtd) and Temitayo Osoba were the Chief Judges when the perceived “irregular appointments” were made.
The letter explained that “due to perceived irregularities and lack of due process in your appointment as a Senior Registrar (functioning as a Staff Attorney) in the Ondo State Judiciary within the Judicial Service of the State, the Honourable Acting Chief Judge/Chairman of Judicial Service Commission has directed your immediate suspension from the Judicial Service pending plenary consideration and review of the propriety of your appointment process.”
The letter, which was signed by the Secretary of the JSC, IIEF, ZD Egbunu, mandated them, “to handover any government property in your possession to the Chief Registrar, please.”
Reacting, the Akure Chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Mr Tunji Oso, promised to wade into the issue and see what made the appointments irregular.
Oso said that the list of the affected judicial officers was being complied for the necessary interface with the relevant government officials.
While acknowledging that JSC, which employed staff had the right to sack them, Oso said they must follow the laid down procedure affecting their terms of employment.
