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Tag: Justice Odili

  • Court grants bail to 3 remaining suspected invaders of Justice Odili’s home

    Court grants bail to 3 remaining suspected invaders of Justice Odili’s home

    A Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday, granted bail to three out of the remaining 15 suspects who allegedly invaded the residence of the Supreme Court judge, Mary Odili.

    Justice Nkeonye Maha admitted them to a N5 million bail each following an application separately filed by their counsel which was not opposed to by lawyer to the police, Mathew Omosun.

    Justice Maha had, on Dec. 15, 2021, refused to grant bail to Mohammed Yahaya, an assistant superintendent of police), Abdullahi Adamu) and Abdullahi Usman, the 11th, 14th and 15th defendants respectively, on the grounds that no bail application was filed before the court on their behalf.

    The judge had ordered that the three defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre till the next hearing fixed for trial commencement.

    All 15 defendants had earlier pleaded not guilty to 18 charges, including forgery, criminal trespass, intimidation, extortion, among others, linked to their alleged invasion of Mrs Odili’s home in Abuja on October 29.

    Delivering the ruling, Justice Maha ordered that the defendants must produce two sureties each.

    The judge also directed that the two sureties for each of the defendants must be responsible citizens, and one of them must possess a landed property in Abuja
    with verified certificate of occupancy.

    Ms Maha also ruled that the second surety must be gainfully employed in Abuja, having paid his or her tax dues for three years.

    She said the documents of the landed property should be submitted to the registry of the court.

    The judge, who ordered that the defendants must submit their passports to the registry, directed that all the defendants be remanded in Kuje Correctional Centre pending the perfection of their bail terms.

    The judge noted that though the prosecution did not oppose the applications, this did not preclude the court from looking at the merit of the matter based on Supreme Court decision.

    She said the court also had a discretion to grant the bail.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Police Force, had produced the 15 suspects before Maha for arraignment on 18-count charge bordering on forgery, criminal trespass, intimidation, extortion, among others, contrary to the sections of the law.

    In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/436/2021, they were also alleged to have threatened Mrs Odili and members of her household while trying to execute an illegal search warrant.

    Although 22 defendants are charged in the case, seven of them are still at large.

    Some of the defendants arraigned iare Lawrence Adjodo (a.k.a. Ola Ojo) , Michael Diete-Spiff, Alex Onyekuru, Bayero Lawal (a.k.a EFCC director), Igwe Ernest,
    Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, Hajiya Maimuna Maishanu, Dr Ayodele Akindipe (a.k.a. Herbalist), Yusuf Adamu (a.k.a. Godson to Chief Peter Odili),

    The rest are Bashir Musa, Mohammed Yahaya, an assistant superintendent of police, Stanley Nkwazema, Shehu Jibo, Abdullahi Adamu, and Abdullahi Usman.

    The seven defendants at large include Ike Ezekwe, a lance corporal, Mike, Sani Bala, Godwin Lucas, Solomon Bagudu, Austin M. and Michael M.

    NAN reports that the Police High Command had, on Nov. 11, paraded 14 suspects over the invasion of the Abuja residence of Odili, describing them as impostors unknown to any of the nation’s security forces.

    As at the time of this report, the court had commenced the trail and the first persecution witness, Madaki Chidawa, an assistant superintendent police officer, was called to give his testimony.

  • Court grants N5m bail each to 12 suspects involved in siege on Justice Odili’s home

    Court grants N5m bail each to 12 suspects involved in siege on Justice Odili’s home

    Justice Nkoenye Maha of the Federal High Court in Abuja has granted bail to 12 accused persons involved in the siege on Justice Mary Odili’s residence.

    The bail was granted on Wednesday evening in the sum of N5 million each with two sureties in like sum.

    According to the ruling, the first surety must be a responsible citizen, with landed properties in like sum while the second, must be gainfully employed in Abuja with three years tax clearance preceding the court order.

    For the 11th and 15th defendants, the court refused to grant their oral application for bail, while no one made an application for bail for the 14th defendant.

    They are all to be remanded at the Kuje correctional center, including those who were granted bail, pending the perfection of their bail applications.

    The case, was thereafter, adjourned to January 17 and 18, 2022 for hearing.

    The Police had arraigned 15 out of the 22 suspects alleged to have laid siege on the residence of the Supreme Court Justice.

    The suspects who were facing 18 counts were presented earlier on Wednesday before Justice Maha.

    They include Ajodo Lawrence (principal suspect), Michael Diete-Spiff, Bar. Alex Onyekuru, Bayero Lawal, Bar. Igwe Ernest, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, Maimuna Maishanu, Ayodele Akindipe, Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Musa, ASP Mohammed Yahaya, Stanley Nkwazema, Shehu Jibo, Abdullahi Adamu, and Abdullahi Usman and were listed as the 1st to 15th defendants.

    They were said to be among a Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Government comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), police, and the Federal Ministry of Justice.

    But the EFCC as well as the Federal Ministry of Justice had denied any such involvement.

    Justice Odili’s home was invaded on October 29, with the said panel claiming it had a search warrant from Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna.

  • FG produces 15 suspected invaders of Justice Odili’s residence

    FG produces 15 suspected invaders of Justice Odili’s residence

    The Federal Government, on Wednesday, produced 15 suspected invaders of the Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mary Odili, for arraignment at the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    The suspects were led into Court 11 by the operatives of the Nigerian Police Force from the Force Headquarters at about 1:40pm where they will be arraigned before Justice Nkeonye Maha.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police High Command had, on Nov. 11, paraded 15 suspects over the invasion of the Abuja residence of a Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili, describing them as impostors unknown to any of the nation’s security forces.

    Parading the suspects at the Force Headquarters Annex, Abuja, Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said that the 14 suspects include a fake Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Lawrence Ajojo.

    He said the suspects, and seven others at large, conspired to raid the residence following information that the Supreme Court justice was keeping a large sum of money in foreign currencies.

    According to Mba, the seven suspects still at large include two soldiers.

    He said the suspects involved in the criminal acts came from different professional backgrounds such as journalism, banking, law enforcement and law.

    He said the syndicates, including one Stanley Nkwazema, a journalist, were loose canons and document forgers who were on their own and not hired by any personnel of the Ministry of Justice.

    NAN reports that Justice Odili’s residence at 7, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, was, on Oct. 29, allegedly invaded by armed security operatives on the grounds of alleged tip-off by a whistleblower, one Aliyu Umar, who claimed to have observed suspicious activities at the residence

    Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna was said to have approved a search warrant by a body identified as the Joint Panel Recovery Unit in the Ministry of Justice, leading to the invasion of Odili’s home.

    The magistrate later revoked the order, saying he was misled while the police and other security agencies also said they was not aware of the raid.

    However, the police commended the resistance put up by the security personnel attached to Odili’s residence for not allowing the suspects access to the building, saying that it could have been the greatest embarrassment to the nation if the operation had succeeded.

    The siege had drawn condemnation from many Nigerians and several interest groups, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Supreme Court, National Assembly, several state governors, civil society organisations, among others.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami, SAN, and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, had separately denied authorising the raid or knowledge of it.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), both of which were also linked to the invasion, had denied involvement.

    As at the time of filing the report, the court was yet to begin sitting.

  • Raid on Justice Odili’s residence: There are 36 Attorney Generals in Nigeria, I can’t be the one he is referring to, Malami distances self again from suspect claiming to be working for him

    Raid on Justice Odili’s residence: There are 36 Attorney Generals in Nigeria, I can’t be the one he is referring to, Malami distances self again from suspect claiming to be working for him

    The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has again denied any involvement in the controversial siege on the home of a Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili.

    He also spoke about a suspect – Lawrence Ajodo, who said he had worked previously with the AGF.

    The minister stated this on Sunday when he appeared as a guest on a Television programme.

    “I have never given him a single case and if I have given him 29 cases, let him show the evidence of the engagement,” Malami said, adding: “I have never seen this man on earth, God knows and I believe there are certain (not only) criminal undertones, perhaps maybe some other undertones, by people who think that by hook or by crook the AG must be a target of aggression one way or the other”.

    Malami further claimed that the suspect is not under the pay record of his ministry and even if he was, he would not carry out operations that are outside the scope of the ministry.

    “Government business is regulated through due processes and procedures. So, you cannot be seen to be operating as a department under the office of the Attorney General and then operating outside the scope and regulations of the law.

    “So, you can see clearly, the man said he was asked by the Attorney General to carry out that task. Ask him, which of the Attorneys-General and on account of which formal engagement?

    “There are 36 Attorneys General across the nation inclusive of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. So, if he said he has been sent by the Attorney General, the next point is to ask him, who is the Attorney General”.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Justice Odili’s home was raided on October 29. But questions about who initiated the incident have remained unanswered.

    Initially, there were reports that the EFCC had gone to execute a search warrant, as part of investigations into her husband, former Governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili.

    But the commission, through its Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, denied the allegation, saying “none of our operatives was there”.

    This, then raised further questions as to who gave the orders for the said siege.

    One of the key suspects had fingered Malami as the one who ordered the raid but the AGF in an earlier istatement denied having any involvement in it.

    “Mr Ajodo’s case is that of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner,” a statement signed by a spokesperson in the office of the AGF, Umar Gwandu, had said.

     

  • SERAP petitions UN over ‘vicious assault on Justice Mary Odili’

    SERAP petitions UN over ‘vicious assault on Justice Mary Odili’

    Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged Mr. Diego García-Sayán, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, to “put pressure on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to conduct a credible, thorough, impartial, independent, transparent, and effective investigation into the vicious assault on Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili by rogue officials.”

     

    SERAP also urged him to “ask the Nigerian government to ensure that any investigation into the assault is based on human rights principles, and protected from undue influence. The outcome of the investigation must be made public, and the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors brought to justice.”

     

    SERAP’s petition followed the recent invasion of Justice Odili’s Maitama, Abuja residence by armed personnel.

     

    In the petition dated 13 November 2021, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said: “The intimidation and harassment of Justice Odidi is a flagrant assault on judicial independence, and apparently aimed at further weakening judicial independence and the rule of law in Nigeria.”

     

    SERAP said: “The unconscionable attacks against Nigerian judges would seem to be a deliberate attempt by the authorities to exert pressure on the judiciary and undermine its independence and authority. These attacks are putting Nigerians’ freedoms at risk.”

     

    According to SERAP, “The current investigation by the Nigerian police fails to meet international standards, as it is neither independent nor effective. As such, the investigation is incapable of identifying all the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and credibly delivering justice in the matter.”

     

    The petition, read in part: “We urge you to push for the adoption of a resolution by the Human Rights Council to establish an international, independent, and impartial investigative mechanism into the attack on Justice Odili, and other unresolved cases of intimidation and harassment of the judiciary, and assault on the rule of law in Nigeria since May 29 2015.”

     

    “An international investigation into the cases of intimidation and harassment of judges in Nigeria will meet the highest international standards and best practices, and assist the Nigerian authorities to take steps to improve respect for the independence of the judiciary, the rule of law, and access to justice for victims of human rights.”

     

    “If not urgently addressed, the attacks, intimidation and harassment of the judiciary may render judges unable to defend the rule of law, to provide accountability for the many gross human rights violations in the country, or to protect the rights of the Nigerian people.”

     

    “Nigerian authorities have a legal obligation to take measures to protect the independence of the judiciary, and ensure the safety and security of individual judges.”

     

    “SERAP urges you to visit Nigeria to carry out a mission to investigate cases of intimidation and harassment of judges, assess the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, and to continue to monitor the situation.”

     

    “The proposed visit would help to support the efforts to bring Nigeria’s justice system in line with international standards, and free of political interference.”

     

    “Nigerian authorities continue to fail to thoroughly, impartially, independently, transparently and effectively investigate cases of attacks, intimidation and harassment of judges, the very people who protect and guarantee human rights.”

     

    “While the Nigerian authorities have arrested some of the suspected perpetrators, at least ten more persons reportedly involved in the assault on Justice Odili are still at large.”

     

    “Independence of the judiciary is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 [as amended], and under human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state party.”

     

    “The attack on Justice Odili is not an isolated incident. There have been several violations of judicial independence and the rule of law in the country. In 2016, for example, Nigerian authorities reportedly invaded in the middle of the night the homes of some judges of the Federal High Court and Justices of the Supreme Court.”

     

    “The authorities have so far failed and/or refused to identify those suspected to be responsible and to bring them to justice.”

     

    “An independent judiciary is essential to the protection of human rights and respect for the rule of law. The principles of independence are the hallmarks of the rationale and the legitimacy of the judicial function in every State. Their absence leads to a denial of justice, and makes the credibility of the judicial process dubious.”

     

    “It is the principle of the separation of powers, together with the rule of law, that opens the way to an administration of justice that provides guarantees of independence and transparency.”

     

    “As expressed in the Bangalore Principles of Judicial Conduct, “Judicial independence is a prerequisite to the rule of law and a fundamental guarantee of a fair trial.”

     

    “According to our information, on Friday, October 29, 2021, some people claiming to be soldiers and policemen, invaded the Abuja home of Justice Mary Odili. The perpetrators identified themselves as members of a government joint task force, and used a fraudulently obtained search warrant to attempt gain access into Justice Odili’s residence.”

     

    “The perpetrators claimed they had information that “illegal activities” were going on in the residence.”

     

     

  • Justice Odili: Malami speaks after suspect who staged raid confessed working for him

    Justice Odili: Malami speaks after suspect who staged raid confessed working for him

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has distanced himself from a suspect arrested over the siege of Justice Mary Odili’s home.

    The suspect, Lawrence Ajodo, was paraded by the police on Thursday alongside 13 others.

    He claimed to work as a consultant for the office of the AGF.

    However, the police said their investigations revealed that “there is no involvement at all” of the officials of the office of the AGF in the raid.

    Ojodu and the other suspects, the police said, “are loose cannons” who forged “different documents” and carried out their “crimes under false representations.”

    According to a statement signed by a spokesperson in the office of the AGF, Umar Gwandu, Mr Ajodu’s case is that “of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner.”

    “The attention of the Office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has been drawn to a confession of a suspect during interrogation in the investigation of the recent invasion of the residence of the highly respected Justice of the Supreme Court; Justice Mary Peter Odili,” the statement said.

    “With all the competent, high level professionals and capable human resources available at the disposal of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, it only takes the imagination of the evil minds to assume or think that the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice will descend so low to engaging a quack or fake police officer to serve as his consultant.

    “This is a case of a drowning man scavenging for a dying partner. We are happy to note that investigation has commenced to unravel the circumstances and personalities behind the invasion and sponsored campaign of calumny against the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

    “It is our desire and we hope that the investigation would also disclose those after the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, those dragging his personality, his name and his exalted office in the dirty politics of disrepute. This is an orchestrated attempt to stir unnecessary controversies and Public apprehension.

    “We asked the suspect to present documents of engagements where he worked as a consultant to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, whether in past or now.

    “Consultant for what? Which activity or assignment? When was he engaged? What were the terms of references for the alleged consultancy service? When was he engaged? Where was he engaged? Which worked has he executed for the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and the Ministry of Justice? For what duration? And for how much?

    “We boldly and unequivocally challenge the fake consultant/police officer to come out with answers or responses to these questions to the general public.

    “The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice superintends over and respects the rule of law who will not do anything to undermine the sanctity of his office and that that entire judiciary and Justice sector.”

  • ‘He resigned over 15 years ago’ ThisDay Newspapers distances self from journalist arrested with links on Justice Odili’s house raid

    ‘He resigned over 15 years ago’ ThisDay Newspapers distances self from journalist arrested with links on Justice Odili’s house raid

    The management of ThisDay Newspapers has denied any link whatsoever with a journalist arrested and paraded on Thursday amongst 13 other suspects believed to have perpetrated the raid on the Abuja home of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili last month.

    The Newspaper, in a press lease signed by its Managing Editor, Bolaji Adebiyi explained that the said journalist identified as Stanley Nkwazema resigned from the organisation as a sports correspondent over 15 years and has only been obliged the priviledge of publishing articles in the newspaper like other ex-staff.

    Read full statement below:

    THISDAY PRESS RELEASE

    DISCLAIMER: STANLEY NKWAZEMA IS NOT OUR STAFF/CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

    The attention of the management of THISDAY NEWSPAPERS has been drawn to the news making the rounds that Mr. Stanley Nkwazema, one of those suspected to have invaded the home of Justice Mary Odili claimed to be a staff and Contributing Editor of THISDAY.

    Contrary to his claim, Mr. Nkwazema is neither a Staff of THISDAY nor a Contributing Editor. He was a Sports Correspondent and resigned more than 15 years ago.

    However, occasionally, he, like hundreds of other readers of the newspaper, sends for publication articles and analyses and is usually obliged, a privilege THISDAY gives to some of its ex-staff. That does not in any way make him a staff and contributing Editor of THISDAY.

    Since his resignation, THISDAY had at no time contracted Mr. Nkwazema to investigate any story, and we know nothing of his alleged investigation of a story leading to the raid of the residence of Hon. Justice Odili.

    The police authorities and the general public should, therefore, note that Mr. Nkwazema, whatever may be his involvement in this matter, was not acting on behalf of THISDAY in any shape or form.

    Thank you.

    Signed
    Bolaji Adebiyi
    Managing Editor (Print and Digital)

  • Senate tells IGP to publish investigative reports on raid of Justice Odili’s residence

    Senate tells IGP to publish investigative reports on raid of Justice Odili’s residence

    The Senate on Tuesday ordered the Inspector General of Police Ahmed Baba Alkali to publish the report of the investigation into the invasion of the residence of Justice Mary Odili’s house.

    The resolution of the Upper Chamber followed a point of order moved by Senator Betty Apiafi at plenary.

    The Senate strongly condemned the invasion allegedly carried out by security agents based on a controversial court order and described it as a breach of Justice Odili’s privacy.

  • Justice Odili saga and government’s shaky alibi, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Justice Odili saga and government’s shaky alibi, By Ehichioya Ezomon

    Justice Odili saga and government’s shaky alibi
    By Ehichioya Ezomon
    The Federal Government investigation into the October 29, 2021, raid of the residence of Justice Mary Peter Odili is at pace, but the administration’s prompt action may not absolve it of complicity.
    That’s why the Supreme Court, quite unusual, has commenced its separate probe into the puzzling invasion of the home of the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
    “We have commenced a full-scale independent investigation to unravel the true masquerades behind the mystery as well as the real motives behind the whole incident,” the court says on November 2.
    The court holds that as the third arm of government, the Judiciary “should be respected and treated as such,” and enjoins that no individual or institution should chastise and ridicule it into silence.
    “Though there have emerged discordant tunes from the various security agencies that allegedly participated in the dastardly act, we are not lying low on this dehumanizing treatment meted out to one of our own,” the court declares in a statement.
    “We have had a full dosage of this fusillade of unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on our judicial officers, and even our facilities across the country, and we say, enough is enough,” it warns.
    Undoubtedly, the government is in a dilemma, and only a thorough probe that results in identifying and punishing those connected with the indecorous “sting operation” may exonerate it from blame.
    Yet, not many Nigerians buy the government alibi, as the nation has traveled this road in the past few years, with the coincidence and similarity of events too familiar to give room for conjecture.
    Needless to recount those ugly moments of security operatives storming the homes, and chambers of judges on allegations of financial malfeasance. It’s the turn of Justice Odili to taste misuse of state power to intimidate alleged contraveners of the law.
    Even when those accusations have merit, should operatives of state badge into the homes of the most civil of government officials that should have “immunity” from such indecent treatment?
    Section 158(1) of the amended 1999 Constitution mandates that “in exercising its power… to exercise disciplinary control over persons,” the National Judicial Council (NJC) “shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other authority or person.”
    The NJC also has power in Paragraph 21(b), (d) and (g) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution, to recommend to the President or Governor the removal from office of any judicial officers… “and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers.”
    In other words, without the express permission or clearance of the NJC, no other authority or person can discipline any judicial officer for whatsoever alleged misconduct.
    As noted by “Concerned Senior Advocates of Nigeria of South-eastern Extraction,” including Prof. Ilochi Okafor, Mr Etigwe Uwa and Mr Chijioke Okoli, the courts have pronounced on the power of the NJC to discipline judicial officers.
    The senior lawyers specifically referred to the celebrated case of Nganjiwa vs Federal Republic of Nigeria (2018) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1609) 301, in which the Court of Appeal states as follows:
    “If any judicial officer commits professional misconduct within the scope of his duty and is investigated, arrested and subsequently prosecuted by security agents, without a formal complaint/report to the NJC, it will be a usurpation of the latter’s constitutionally-guaranteed powers under Section 158 and Paragraph 21 Part 1 of the Third Schedule, thereby inhibiting the NJC from carrying out its disciplinary control over erring judicial officers as clearly provided by the Constitution…
    “It is only when the NJC has given a verdict and handed over such judicial officer (removing his toga of judicial powers) to the prosecuting authority that he may be investigated and prosecuted by the appropriate security agencies; we re-emphasis that it amounts to an executive infraction on the judicial independence to continue to harass, intimidate and humiliate judges.”
    The confusing breach of Justice Odili’s home has thrown up the questions: “Whodunit” and why, as the relevant security agencies or organs of government have denied their involvement?
    Was Justice Odili formally or informally accused of any misconduct to necessitate an unwelcome visit by “unknown security operatives” from unknown departments of government?
    Section 161(d) of the Constitution interprets “misconduct” as “a breach of the Oath of Allegiance or oath of office of a member or a breach of the provisions of this Constitution or bribery or corruption or false declaration of asserts and liabilities or conviction for treason or treasonable felony.”
    Which of these offences has Justice Odili committed other than being wife of former Rivers State Governor Peter Odili, who’s a pending corruption case from ruling Rivers from 1999 to 2007?
    The case, in abeyance since 2007 due to Dr Odili’s “perpetual injunction” against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), popped up lately when the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) seized his international passport on arrival from overseas.
    If Justice Odili isn’t “guilty by association,” then the security agencies ought to have invited her, through the NJC, to answer to any charges of breach of the rules governing judicial officers.
    Justice Odili is Number Six in the nation’s governance hierarchy after President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and Chief Justice Tanko Mohammed, respectively.
    And as the highest female judicial officer of the Supreme Court,
    Justice Odili could become the first female Chief Justice of Nigeria. Does the raid aim to stop her from reaching that pinnacle?
    That’s why you can’t fault Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Rivers Stakeholders, and the Supreme Court for concluding that the security invasion was targeted at eliminating the Odili family.
    What about the “independence” of the Judiciary that the security operatives’ brazen action violates at a time worries are mounting over disrespects to the third arm of government?
    Actually, days to the perplexing raid, Governor Wike had declared that he’d rather have an independent Judiciary than signing a law to grant it autonomy that’s already guaranteed by the Constitution.
    And Wike was an early caller on a solidarity visit to Justice Odili, a prominent citizen of Rivers, and later raised the ante, with Rivers Stakeholders, with a 48-hour ultimatum to the Federal Government to expose the masterminds of the break-in to Mrs Odili’s house.
    As security agencies deny the invasion, there’re speculations that “fifth columnists” may’ve sprung the operation for whatever motive, with the timing coinciding with the quadrennial national convention of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja.
    This gave the party the needed pedestal to lampoon the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) government of President Buhari as culpable and should be held responsible for the surprise strike.
    If “external” bodies were involved, they surely took advantage of government’s failure to address past attacks on judicial officers, and the Judiciary, and may yet falter in the assault against Justice Odili.
    Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
  • Police arrest operatives who invaded Justice Odili’s home

    Police arrest operatives who invaded Justice Odili’s home

    The Inspector General of Police, Alkali Usman on Tuesday confirmd that some operatives who laid siege to the Abuja residence of Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili have been arrested.

    The police boss neither gave the number of those arrested nor their organisations.

    But he said the circumstances surrounding the incident were being investigated.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Justice Odili’s residence was on Friday night under a siege by armed security operatives who claimed their mission was to execute a Chief Magistrates’ Court search warrant.

    Following public outcry, Usman on Monday disclosed that an investigation into the incident had commenced. He assured Nigerians that the perpetrators would be fished out and brought to justice.

    Yesterday, the IG gave an update on the matter during a two-day capacity-building workshop for security operatives in Lagos and Ogun states in Lagos.

    He said: “I have taken my time not to speak quickly on this issue to ensure that when I speak, I am able to give Nigerians information on what transpired or what has been done.

    “To the best of my knowledge, we have been able to arrest the perpetrators and we are investigating the circumstances surrounding the invasion or siege to the judge’s residence.”