Mary Odili: Imo In Diaspora, Write IGP, Hold Oshiomhole Responsible For Attack On Her Residence

A  Coalition of Imolites in the Diaspora has written a letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, protesting the attack on the Abuja residence of Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, a Supreme Court Judge.

Peter-Odili’s residence was attacked following the annulment of the victory of the APC Governorship candidate, David Lyon, over the dissonance in the names of his deputy-governorship elect on February 13, by a panel of five Supreme Court Justices, headed by Peter-Odili. The panel has the victory to the closest runner-up, with the constitutional spread. It fell on the laps of PDP’s Douye Diri.

A mob, compromising of political thugs, allegedly backed by some elements in the APC, went to her residence, and protested on February 14 and 16.

Nobody has been arrested for the infamy.

But in a protest letter to the IGP signed by Prof Eddie Oparaji and Chujike  K. Ndukwe,  the group says it holds the National Chairman of the APC, Adams Oshiomhole, responsible for the attack.

In the wake of the annulment, Oshiomhole had shocked the nation by saying and insisting that nobody would be sworn-in as Bayelsa Governor. The statement, allegedly, emboldened the protesters.

For the records, Justice Peter-Odili is Imo born, but married in Rivers State.

Following, the letter to the IGP by the coalition.

“We write to roundly condemn the recent picketing of the Abuja home of Justice Mary Odili, following her participation in the Supreme Court ruling on the Bayelsa State Governorship case by a mob.

“There is no doubt that this mob attack disguised as a protest, constituted a serious threat to the lives and property of Justice Mary Odili and her family, and was instigated by the warlord-like attitude and utterances of Mr Adam Oshiomole and his party- the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“One would expect that in a secure and law abiding country, a Police Permit would be needed, and Police protection provided during such picketing, especially of a very high government official as a Justice of the Supreme Court. In this case, this mob largely had unhindered access to block the residence of a serving Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“We are of the opinion that the Nigerian Supreme Court has a delicate role in restoring the hope of Nigerians in the fragile Nigerian project. We regret the fact that in this case, Justice Odili was singled out for this cowardly attack by a political mob of APC supporters. We will therefore hold Mr Oshiomole and the APC accountable, and bring a law suit against them in the United States, under the Alien Tort Act, should any harm befall Justice Odili or any members of her family.

“As insecurity of lives and property continues to rise in Nigeria, the Police must make sure that the guardrails of our democracy are well protected. Since this illegal mob threat on Mrs Odili, strangely, no known arrests have been made. We, therefore, call on you to use your good offices to arrest and interrogate Mr Oshiomole, fish out, arrest and prosecute all leaders of the mob attack on Mrs Odili, as a deterrent to any other persons, or group of persons. The due process MUST be followed and the Nigerian Police Must not be found wanting.”