Justice Odili Threatens Ude With Suit,  Lodges Criminal  Complaint Over Allegation Of ‘Negotiating’ For Tinubu With Presidential Tribunal

By Adesina Soyooye

Jackson Ude, a Journalist, could be in serious trouble over the allegations he made against the Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili, a retired Supreme Court Judge, a retired Supreme Court Judge.

Ude had, shockingly, alleged that Odili is in Abuja where she is “currently negotiating a pathway for Bola Tinubu” and that “she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme courts.”

Jackson wrote that Justice Odili is in Abuja negotiating with the Presidential Tribunal and Supreme Court (when the case gets to the highest Court), on behalf of President Tinubu.

But an angry Justice Odili who is, also, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers has dismissed the allegation as false, fake and deliberately meant to defame and malign her. She has, therefore, in a statement signed by her Media Assistant, Felix Enebeli, demanded an immediate retraction of the story and a public apology by Jackson. She has, also, briefed her Lawyers to take up the allegation against her by Jackson. Odili has

Following is the full text of the Justice Odili’s statement issued on Wednesday, August 9, 2023

“PRESS STATEMENT ISSUED ON BEHALF OF HON. JUSTICE (MRS) MARY PETER-ODILI REFUTING A PUBLICATION MADE BY ONE JACKSON UDE IN THE SOCIAL MEDIA TITLED “MARY ODILI WORKING FOR TINUBU WITH THE PEPT

“Our attention has been drawn to a publication circulating in the social media against the person of the retired Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, wherein the author, one Jackson Ude, falsely and maliciously alleged inter alia, that the revered jurist is “currently negotiating a pathway for Bola Tinubu” and that “she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme courts” in that regard.

“While the defamation arising from the false allegation has been referred to the lawyers of her lordship to deal with in accordance with the law, we consider it appropriate, particularly for the sake of the public, to issue this unequivocal denial of the false allegation. We deny every allegation contained in the publication and state that the publication is false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt at smearing the integrity and solid reputation of her lordship. We say nothing of the fact that the publication has the potential of inciting the public against her Lordship on an issue of grave national importance.

“For the records, Her Lordship is neither a Judicial Consultant to anyone, nor is she in any way connected with, or involved in any of the presidential election petitions or any other election petition whatsoever. The public is hereby urged to disbelieve, disregard and ignore this false publication.

“Lawyers acting for Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili have been instructed to demand retraction and public apology from the publisher, Jackson Ude, failing which redress will be sought in a court of law.

“Meanwhile, a criminal complaint has been lodged with the police. In addition, lawyers acting for Justice Mary Peter-Odili have addressed petitions to the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police and Interpol calling for immediate investigation of this grave but false and malicious allegation aimed at inciting the public against Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili (Rtd)

Signed
Chief Felix Enebeli, Media Assistant to Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili (Rtd).”