Senate Condemns Invasion of Odili’s Home

By Uche Mbah

The Senate, Tuesday, condemned the invasion of the Abuja home of Mary Peter-Odili, a Justice of the Supreme Court, by some people claiming to be acting on a court order obtained from an Abuja Magistrate Court.

Betty Apiafi, Rivers West, brought the motion to the floor of the Senate, condemning the invasion.

Security operatives claiming to work under the directive if the Attorney General, Abubakar Malamu, on October 29 invaded the house of Justice Odili based on an alleged petition to the EFCC  of “illegal activities”  going on in the compound.

But Malami denied sending them, and instead instituted a probe panel to look into the incident.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which also came under fire, denied involvement in the raid. And so did the Police and the DSS.

But the Nigerian Bar Association has set up a panel of enquiry to investigate it, hinting that if Malami is found culpable he might be stripped if his privileges including the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN status.

Meanwhile, Usman Baba, inspector-general of police (IGP), had ordered a probe into the incident.

On the floor of the upper legislative chamber Tuesday, Apiafi expressed worry at the slow pace of turning in report on the findings of the police so far.

“There is no information on the arrest said to be made,” she said.

Also speaking on the issue, Opeyemi Bamidele, Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, wanted those found culpable to face the law.

“No one was at ease with what has happened. The government should take appropriate steps to ensure that those culpable are brought to book,” Bamidele said.

“There is need to protect the sanctity of the judiciary.”

Thompson Sekibo, Rivers North-east, requested that police findings be made public.

“A couple of months ago, Justice Mary Odili’s residence was also invaded. Several reasons were given for that. Again her house in Abuja was also invaded. They claimed to have brought a warrant in Abuja,” he said.

“There was a claim that the Minister of Justice was aware of it but he denied. The IGP said he has done some arrest and they are investigating the matter.

“Most times we hear of investigation and we don’t see the result. Fear is one of the causes of death.

“Let them make the investigation public. Let us also pray that this does not cause fear to Mary Odili and other Judges.”

Thereafter, the Senate President ruled that the IGP should disclose the findings of the investigation as soon as possible.