The Lagos State Head of Service, Folashade Jaji, on Tuesday told the state House of Assembly that its resolution calling for the dissolution of the Judicial Service Commission had been implemented.
Jaji spoke at the Assembly when she appeared before the legislators who had on Monday summoned her to show up and offer some explanations on the tenure of the commission members.
She had been called to give explanation on a letter from the JSC read on the floor of the House indicating that the tenure of its members had been renewed by her.
The House, which had on July 2 called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to dissolve the council, following the expiration of its members’ five-year tenure, had frowned at the content of the letter.
It had said that the continuation in office of members of the commission was a flagrant disregard for the provisions of Section 199 of the 1999 Constitution.
The House had insisted that the tenure of the members of the JSC could not be renewed without approval of the Assembly.
In her defence on Tuesday, Jaji said she did not singlehandedly send a letter on tenure renewal to the members of the Commission, but acted based on directive.
According to her, she received an approval letter of the renewal from the former Attorney General of the State, Ade Ipaye and former Governor Babatunde Fashola on February 24, a week after her appointment as HoS.
She said the letter stated that the tenure of office of the members of the commission should be renewed for another five years.
She said: “After my appointment, I got a letter from the governor and I conveyed the approval of the governor on the renewal of their tenure to them.
“I was surprised that it was said I took the step singlehandedly because I have a copy of the letter through the governor by the former attorney general on the renewal of the tenure.
“If I was aware that there was a need for the Assembly approval, I would have done so.
“It is not my character to disobey.”
Jaji apologised for the procedural mistake and said that she had since written letters to the members of the commission informing them that they stand dissolved based on the Assembly’s resolution.
In his contribution to the issue, Moshood Oshun (APC-Lagos Mainland 2) urged the House to pardon Jaji since she had accepted her error.
Also speaking, Tunde Braimo (APC-Kosofe 2) said: “The due process is that when appointments to such offices are made, the HoS should be informed and that such appointments should be confirmed by the House.
“I commend the Head of Service for the explanation.
“Mrs. Jaji should be forgiven as she has done her job.”
Lanre Ogunyemi (APC-Ojo 02) also said: “Mrs. Jaji should be absolved of the blame in this matter.
“However, it is incumbent on her office that most of these appointment requires the approval of the House.
“It was wrong for the former governor to make such renewal.”
Segun Olulade (APC-Epe 2) said the Head of Service acted as directed and should be exonerated, adding: “We should pass a vote of confidence on her for doing her job.”
In her view, Funmilayo Tejuosho (APC-Mushin 1) commended Jaji for showing respect to the Assembly by honouring the summons and complying with the resolution.
Responding, the Speaker of the Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, said the HoS was pardoned and thanked for her explanation.
“She explained that she had a directive from the former governor on the tenure renewal for the Judicial Service Commission but now she has acted on the House resolution,” Obasa said.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Public Corporation Bill 2015 was read on the floor of the Assembly for the first time.
NAN.
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