Former Niger Delta agitators have called on the Federal Government to investigate the recent siege at Justice Mary Odili’s house and not to sweep it under the carpet.
This follows the invasion of the Abuja home of Justice Odili by security operatives on Friday, October 29, 2021.
The group also refuted claims that some incriminating items and illegal activities were going on at Odili’s Abuja residence that warranted the invasion.
A statement signed by the convener of the coalition of Niger Delta Militants, John Dukku, on Sunday said the invasion was a ploy to intimidate, harass, humiliate and forcefully evict Odili from her current position in the Supreme Court.
The agitators noted that Odili’s offence was that she is the second-highest-ranking Judge of the Supreme Court and also from the Niger Delta.
“The coalition condemns in its entirety the recent invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s home in Abuja by agents of the Federal Government of Nigeria. We view this action as a ploy to intimidate, harass, humiliate and forcefully evict her from her current position in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“We can authoritatively say that the only offence of Justice Mary Odili is because she is the second-highest-ranking Judge in the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and she is from the Niger Delta region. The coalition rejects the claim by the government that suspicious activities were suspected in the building; this claim is baseless and unacceptable.
“We are compelled to ask, what kind of illegal activity could be suspected in a home of respected justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria whose husband has also served as a state governor for eight years? What was the motive behind that invasion?
“We, therefore, warn that on no account should the recent invasion of Honourable Justice Mary Odili’s home be swept under the carpet as we are watching every event. Who ordered the invasion? What were his motives? Why is such an illegal invasion important now?
“In 2016, some targeted Justices Sylvester Ngwuta, John Okoro, Adeniyi Ademola, Nnamdi Dimgba and Mohammed Liman were among those judiciary hierarchy persecuted without having tangible corruption evidence against them.
“We also recall the gang-up, abuse of power, intimidation, insults, embarrassments and trump-up charges at the Code of Conduct Tribunal against our father – Justice Walter Onnoghen.”
