Justice Odili warns LP, others ahead of the tribunal judgment

Justice Mary Peter-Odili, the retired justice of the Supreme Court, has warned the Labour Party not to twist her comment to favour its narratives.

The former justice of the Supreme Court gave the warning in her reaction to the allegation by the LP that she was taking sides ahead of the PEPC judgment.

In a tweet, Obiora Ifoh, the spokesperson of the Labour Party, accused the retired justice of making a comment that was dangerous to the democratic growth of the country.

Recall that on Friday, a colloquium was organised in honour of the 25th anniversary of Joe Gadzama as a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), where Justice Peter Odili warned politicians to desist from fanning the ember of bigotry, hatred and tribalism.

The retired justice also described the defence lawyer to President Bola Tinubu at the presidential election petition court (PEPC), Wole Olanipekun, and the attorney general of the federation and minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, as “masters and “experts” in the legal business

But reacting in a statement, Chief Felix Enebeli, Media Assistant to Hon Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili (Rtd.) emphasized that there is nothing in the comments that suggested a reference to those who lost in any particular election in any state or region.

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According to him, the learned retired Jurist acknowledged that the 2023 general elections “generated a storm” and advised all those who were not declared victorious in the elections to toe the line of legality and follow the rules of law, in expressing their dissatisfaction through appropriate channels and not “pull down the roof of the nation” because of its far-reaching consequences on everyone, including all agitators, regardless of what side of the fence they found themselves. Surely, this is common sense advice.

“For the records, we have reproduced here the crucial parts of her speech on that day for the avoidance of doubts and for public knowledge.

“This colloquium and book launch in honour of Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama upon the attainment of 25 years as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is an epochal achievement. It is no doubt appropriate that the theme is ‘The Nigeria of our Dreams, A Call to the Patriots’.

“I say so in the light of the prevailing situation in Nigeria as a result of the 2023 general elections which has generated a lot of storms, necessitating the conversation which we are about to indulge in, as there seems to be moves to throw the nation into chaos or conflagration. This may be brought about by some individuals and groups who, fanning the embers of hatred, bigotry, and tribalism, fail to see the possible outcomes of the utterances without caution that are being thrown around.

“It is human to feel cheated or having the short end of the stick by one who is not declared the winner at any of the electoral contests. Such emotion, however grim, does not justify bringing the roof down, the roof of our nation. The reason is simple, that in such an eventuality, that aggrieved person may not be spared, as the commotion that could ensue would be like an unguided missile which could land anywhere and upon anyone.

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“Therefore, in ventilating our points of view and facts at the electoral tribunals or other courts, a sense of responsibility from all parties is demanded. The situation does not call for the blackmail of the judges or the posting of speculatory hypotheses, giving them such a life of their own which runs riot and is accepted by the hapless and innocent in the society as the truth.

“Knowing the quality of participants at this colloquium and I am happy, professionals, those who are well equipped in litigation matters or electoral disputes – Chief Olanipekun is a master, and our Attorney General recently sworn in. These are experts.

“I am confident that having such persons here including our Chief Host, Chief J.K Gadzama SAN, there is confidence that at the end of the day, a resetting of the mind would be taking place and we would keep things in perspective in the full knowledge that elections are seasonal and litigations relating thereto … and so when the seasons are gone, the courts get back to their natural and regular duties of adjudication regarding the affairs and rights of all persons, irrespective of their status in life.

“J.K. Gadzama SAN has called us to this discourse, lest we forget our past, the recent happenings in our country and the need for a restoration of the ethos and the values for which the founding fathers have set in motion as guides to all of us, young and old, irrespective of the positions we occupy in the society. We all have to get our acts together and rebuild our nation”.

“The public may now be guided as to the comments now attempted to be twisted.

“Regardless of the fact that Hon. Justice Mary Odili (who is a retired Justice and is free to express her views like any other person), the mischievous efforts to apply a wicked twist of bias, championed by the same persons who are bullying the judiciary and threatening to pull down the roof without recourse to due process, fall flat.”