The National Industrial Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke from sacking Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, the Osun State Chief Judge.

In his ruling on Thursday, Hon. Justice JD. Peters, the presiding judge, barred the state government from terminating the appointment and conditions of service of the chief judge.

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According to a court document sighted by FIJ, the court also mandated the government to continue to pay the salary, entitlements, emoluments, remuneration and other benefits the chief judge is entitled to.

This ruling followed reports that the state government was planning to forcefully retire the chief judge in spite of the federal government”s extension of the retirement age of high court judges to 70.

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The retirement age of justices of the appeal and supreme courts is already pegged at 70, but by signing the bill in June, President Bola Tinubu extended the retirement age of high court judges from 65 to 70 years.

The Osun State Chief Judge was initially due for retirement in October this year when she clocked 65, but with the new bill signed into law, her retirement is no longer immediate.