Victor EzejaThe Invasion of Supreme Court Justice Mary Peter-Odili’s Abuja residence by operatives of Nigeria’s security agencies on October 29 has generated wide condemnation by various groups, across the country.
Senate has ordered the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba to make public all findings of investigation regarding the invasion of Justice Odili’s home.
This was part of resolutions reached by the Senate today, following a point of order raised by Senator Betty Apiafi during the plenary.
Apiafi, under order 42 and 52 of the Senate Standing Rules, moved a motion on the “urgent need to investigate the invasion of Justice Mrs. Odili’s residence by security agents.”
The lawmaker who represents Rivers West senatorial district noted in her motion that on October 29, 2021, security operatives invaded the home of the Supreme Court Judge.
A joint panel recovery unit of the Ministry of Justice, comprising of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigerian Police and the Ministry of Justice, had allegedly approached an FCT Magistrate Court and got a warrant to search Justice Odili’s house after a so called whistleblower claimed to have observed illegal activities allegedly going on in the residence at Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja.
EFCC Attorney General of the Federation, Justice Abubakar Malami had since denied involvement in the operation.
Justice Odili is the second highest-ranking Justice of the Supreme Court.
READ ALSO: Southeast SANS Condemns Raid Of Justice Odili Residence, As EFCC, AGF Deny Involvement
Apiafu who condemned the operation noted that members of the Senate are worried over the development, and wondered why the house of a highly revered judicial officer should be invaded in such a manner by security agents.
In her words, “the Senate is worried that this incident, brings back to mind the similar invasion of homes of some senior Judicial Officers, including Chief Judges of the Supreme Court, and Judges of the Federal High Court in Abuja and other parts of the country in October 2016, which was widely condemned.
“The Senate is disturbed that eleven days after the incident, though the Inspector General of Police claims some arrests have been made and investigations are still ongoing, even though the details of such arrest have not been made public.”
Contributing on the motion, Chairman of Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, said no member of the upper chamber “was at ease hearing the news of what happened.”
He added that the motion raised by Senator Apiafi, is a reflection of the collective desire of members of the National Assembly in ensuring that the government takes appropriate steps to bring to book all those found culpable.
He noted that doing so would send a clear signal on the need to respect the sanctity of the Judiciary and to also protect Judicial Officers in Nigeria, whose rights under the law must be protected.
Senator George Thompson Sekibo PDP, representing Rivers East Senatorial District, recalled that the Port Harcourt residence of Justice Mary Odili was invaded some months ago.
READ ALSO: Justice Odili’s House Raid By Security Officers, An Intimidation In Disguise- Uwazurike
Sekibo said, “several reasons were given why thugs invaded the house. I don’t want to mention the reasons, so it does not bring in controversy.
“Recently, as the motion said, the house in Abuja was also invaded, and after a struggle, the security agents that invaded the place left the residence.
“They claimed to have brought a warrant from a magistrate court in Abuja.
“They claimed the Minister of Justice was aware of it. There are several claims.
“The Minister of Justice has denied and dissociated himself from that, the Chairman of EFCC has also done that.
“I’ve read statements by the Inspector General of Police that he has carried some arrests and that they are investigating the matter.
“My problem is this, oftentimes, things happen and the police investigates and, in most cases, we don’t get the result of the investigation.
“I pray that this investigation comes to the limelight.”
They commended the Inspector General of Police for the arrests already made, and the investigation panel he has instituted.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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