Mary Odili: Chairmen, NBA Branches, Imo, Call For Investigation

By Charles Igbo

Reactions to the invasion of the home of Supreme Court Justice, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, are still coming like claps of thunder.

On Friday, October 29, 2021, security personnel had invaded her home in the early evening, laid a siege for hours, with an excuse that they came to execute a search warrant signed by a Magistrate in Wuse.

The initial report was that they were about 50 in number, made up of operatives from the Economic Financial and Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Nigerian Police. Later, the Department of Security Security Service was also added. It was said that it was a joint operation by a mix-marsh of security operatives whose activities are anchored from the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.

The invasion was greeted with outrage, and the fallout has been unprecedented.

The Magistrate who signed the search warrant revoked it hours later, and said he was deceived by misinformation into issuing it. Malami has distanced himself from the scandal and ordered a probe. Both the EFCC and the DSS issued statements saying they were not involved. It remains the Nigerian Police Force which has kept mum, and which officer, a CSP, swore to an affidavit of support which was presented to the Magistrate.

The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in a strongly-worded statement signed by its President, Olumide Akpata, expressed outrage, and vowed to see to the end of the embarrassing incident.

And there are other reactions as well from concerned body of SANs and high profile individuals.

The latest reaction came from the Committee of Chairmen of the Nigerian Bar Association Branches in Imo State.

In a statement signed by all the Chairmen, the statement condemned the invasion, dismissed as barbarian, and called for an investigation into the incident.

Following is the full text of the statement entitled:

STATEMENT BY THE COMMITTEE OF CHAIRMEN OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION [NBA] BRANCHES IN IMO STATE, ON THE INVASION OF THE RESIDENCE OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE MARY UKAEGO PETER-ODILI, [JSC], BY UNKNOWN SECURITY AGENTS ON THE 29TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2021.

“On Friday, 29th October, 2021, the Nigerian airwaves were inundated with the unfortunate news of the Gestapolike invasion/siege by unknown security agents, at the Abuja residence of Honourable Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC.

“This barbaric invasion is reminiscent of the better-forgotten and unsavoury invasions of the houses of justices and judges by officers of the Department of State Services [DSS] in a purported “sting operation” in 2016.

“Whereas the purported Order made by the Magistrate Court, Wuse, has been revoked by the Magistrate who made same; whereas all the relevant security agencies have denied involvement in this unfortunate incident; and whereas the Honourable the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, has come out to deny knowledge of this barbaric action by rogue security agencies, these go to show that the shield bearers of our democracy [Judiciary] are now easy preys to the same security agencies who are meant to protect them.

“Lawyers in Imo State strongly condemn this reprehensible, roguish, barbaric and abominable invasion of the residence of the Honourable Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, JSC, who is the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court. We view this incident as a continuation of the unrelenting attempts and efforts by the Government of the day to intimidate and cow the Judiciary.

“Furthermore, we call for a thorough investigation into the sequence of events culminating into this invasion, and for all those culpable to be dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land. This is to serve as a deterrent to would-be overzealous security agents and their collaborators in power who may be tempted to embarrass and ridicule the Judiciary.”

Signed:

J.I. Ogamba, Esq. – Chairman, NBA Owerri Branch.

Chief A.U. Ugboaja, KSC – Chairman, NBA Mbaise Branch.

R.C. Ndeme, Esq. – Chairman, NBA Okigwe Branch.

B.A. Munonye, Esq. – Chairman, NBA Orlu Branch.

Chief Richard Anyanwu – Chairman, NBA Mbano/Etiti Branch.

Justice Peter-Odili is the second highest Judge in Nigeria. She is from Imo State, but married to a  former two- term Governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili.