Who is afraid of Justice Mary Odili?

The raid of the residence of a female judge of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili, on Friday by security operatives, has continued to generate suspicions of a hidden plot by agents of the federal government.

A renowned legal practitioner, Femi Falana SAN, in a statement on Monday captioned: “The Second Attack On Justice Mary Peter-Odili,” indicated that the raid on Friday was the second time the residence of Justice Mary Odili was invaded by security operatives, noting that the first invasion was in February 2020.

Falana in the statement requested the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to report the lawyers who participated in the execution of the illegal search warrant to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

The legal practitioner noted that the armed thugs who invaded Justice Odili’s residence in 2020 had revealed that they were not satisfied with her judgements. Apparently, the courage of the female Judge of the Supreme Court may have become intimidating to state actors who do not believe in justice and equity in the governance of the country.

Falana in the statement highlighted: “On February 21, 2020, a gang of armed thugs invaded the residence of Justice Mary Peter-Odili at Abuja and subjected her to unwarranted intimidation.

“The protesters claimed that they were dissatisfied with her judgment in an appeal that was decided by a full panel of 7 Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

“At the material time, both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) pointed accusing fingers at each other. But the police and other security agencies ignored the calls for the investigation and prosecution of the criminal suspects who invaded the residence of the Justice.

“Since the armed thugs were treated like sacred cows last year, the Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili was subjected to further intimidation in the same house by a combined team of police and military personnel last Friday while executing a search warrant in respect of another property.”

Falana further stated: “The Magistrate who issued the warrant of arrest has turned round to revoke it on the ground that he was misled by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation. Although the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the State Security Service have denied involvement in the intimidation of the Senior Judge, the Nigerian Army and the Nigeria Police Force have not denied the presence of their personnel in the house.

“However, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN) has not only denied involvement in the intimidation of Justice Peter-Odili, but he has also directed the Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the invasion.

“Without prejudice to the official investigation, the Nigerian Bar Association should ensure that the members of the legal profession who took part in the execution of the illegal search warrant are reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. Otherwise, such attacks will continue to be unleashed on Judges, from time to time, by the sworn enemies of the Rule of Law in the corridors of power.”