Justice Odili bows out of active judicial service at 70

Justice of the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Mary Odili will today, retire from active judicial service, having attained the 70 years mandatory retirement age.

The ceremony presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, is ongoing at the main courtroom of the apex court, with several dignitaries present including her husband, ex-Rivers governor Peter Odili; Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, his wife, Justice Suzette Wike; the Bayelsa State governor, Duoye Diri, and his Predecessor, Seriake Dickson.

Recall that Odili had delivered the judgment that ushered in Governor Diri following the nullification of the election of Mr. David Lyon of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Justice Odili, who was born on May 12, 1952, at AmudiObizi, Ezinihitte – Mbaise L.G.A. of Imo State, bagged a degree in law in 1976, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu Campus), before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School in 1977 for her B.L certificate.

She has served in various capacities in the judiciary, including Justice, Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division (2004 – 2010), Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, and Kaduna Division (2010 – 2011).

The wife of ex-Rivers first lady was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court on June 23, 2011, and was later conferred with National Honour Commander Federal Republic, CFR by former President Goodluck Jonathan.