The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Tuesday stormed the offices of Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) and Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad in protest over the invasion of the residence of a Justice of Supreme Court Mary Peter-Odili by security operatives.
Some security operatives claiming to be under the ” Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice ” had Friday last week stormed the Abuja home of Justice Mary Odili with a search warrant from Chief Magistrate Court.
Speaking with journalists after a closed door meeting with Abubakar Malami (SAN) at the Federal Ministry of Justice Abuja, the leader of Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja, Chief Adegboyinga Awomolo (SAN), said they are concerned about the incident, insisting that government must unearth those behind that national disgrace.
“We have come to see the AGF concerning the unfortunate and ugly invasion of the resident of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court last Friday by yet to be identified security operatives.
“When judges’ lives, careers, security and safety, when their independence is threatened, then democracy is also threatened.
“The AGF has said he did not have knowledge of the incident and he had written a letter of complaint to the Inspector General of Police for a thorough investigation as demonstration of his sincerity.
“He said “, Malami told them that, “he is open to be investigated if there is any information that connects him to the incident.
“We are going to meet with the Chief Justice of Nigeria and let him know that the Body of SANs is very concerned about the lives, security and safety of our judicial officers anywhere and everywhere.
“This incident appears to be in isolation but we cannot let it be swept under the carpet.
“The incident must be investigated and investigated thoroughly.”Nigerians are interested in this matter. It should not be politicized; it’s a matter of grave, political and constitutional importance.
“There are three Arms of Government; the Executive, the Legislature and Judiciary. One is not supposed to be in ambush or overriding the other or threaten the other’s existence, otherwise democracy is at risk.
Awomolo said the incident was meant to tramp on the independence of the Judiciary by intimidating the justices to cow them . “We the senior lawyers would not allow this .”
Meanwhile, Malami yesterday after the meeting reiterated his innocence . He completely exonerated himself, saying he is open to investigation.
Malami who spoke through his media aide Dr. Umar Gwandu said ,”neither the Federal Government nor the office of the AGF is involved in the invasion of the Abuja home of Justice Mary Odili.
The Maitama home of Justice Mary Odili was on Friday, invaded by a Joint Panel Recovery unit of the Federal Government comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigerian Police, and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The panel had invaded the residence of the high ranking Supreme Court Justice, claiming it had a warrant from Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna, to search the home of Dr Peter Odili.
Justice Mary is the wife of Dr Peter Odili, who served as Governor of Rivers State between 1999 to 2007.A medical doctor by profession, Dr Odili also served as Rivers state deputy governor between 1992 and 1993.