President of the Nigerian Bar Association Mr. Olumide Akpata SAN, has expressed the Association’s displeasure with the way and manner the Abuja residence of Hon. Justice Mary Odili was raided by yet to be identified persons. The President of the Largest bar in Africa noted with dismay that while the act is an affront on the judiciary, it sets the tone for dangerous precedent reminiscent of a similar invasion in 2016 of the residences of some Supreme Court Justices like Hon. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, now deceased
In a release signed by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, the Association noted that with the denial by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Services and office of the Attorney General of the Federation, “rogue security agencies” may have perpetrated the act.
The NBA through its President announced that it would convene an Emergency National Executive Council Meeting (NEC) to deliberate on the illegal invasion.
Meanwhile, Akpata disclosed that Justice Odili, Wife of the former Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili and the “the second most senior judicial officer in the country, is alive and well”,
The NBA stated among other things:
AGF DENIES COMPLICITY
“The Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation under whose office the team that purportedly carried out the raid is allegedly domiciled has also denounced the team, which suggests the inference that the residence of the second most senior judicial officer in Nigeria was raided by rogue security agencies. The grave implications of this possibility leave a lot to be desired”
INVASION, AFFRONT ON THE JUDICIARY
“When viewed in the context of a similar raid on the premises of Supreme Court Justices In 2016, the rationale of which was never fully explained or indeed justified, the NBA interprets last night’s incident as a part of an orchestrated affront on the Judiciary, designed to intimidate and ridicule the Judiciary. The NBA will no longer allow this to continue.
EVENT UNDERMINES THE RULE OF LAW
“In case the law enforcement agencies have not learnt their lessons, events like this do nothing but erode the independence of sacred democratic institutions like the Judiciary, undermine the rule of law in Nigeria, and set the country back in the quest to instil confidence in citizens of Nigeria, Nigerian businesses, and foreign investors that Nigeria operates a democracy with an independent Judiciary.
JUSTICE ODILI ALIVE AND WELL
“I have spoken with My Lord, Peter-Odili (SC and I am happy to report that she is alive and well. Beyond that however, it is my pledge to Nigerians that the NBA will get to the root of this matter.
“To be clear, last night’s event is an affront on the Judiciary and grossly undermines the democracy that we profess to practise. In line with the aims and objectives of the NBA which include the protection and defence of the independence of the Judiciary and the Rule of Law in Nigeria, we will be convening an emergency meeting of the NBA National Executive Committee solely to discuss this issue and take a definitive stand on behalf of the NBA.
NBA DELEGATION TO HAVE TALKS WITH AGF AND HEADS OF SECURITY AGENCIES
“I will also lead a delegation to the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN and the relevant heads of security agencies to seek further clarification on the circumstances of this incident Thereafter, the NBA will ensure that all those responsible for this unfortunate incident are brought to book. We must do all that is required to safeguard the independence of our Judiciary and indeed protect our hard-won democracy.
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