The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Olumide Akpata has condemned the raid on the home of Justice Mary Odili by men of the Nigerian Secret Police. In a statement monitored on his Facebook page Mr. Akpata had this to say:
The Nigerian Bar Association (“NBA”) received with grave concern the news of the unlawful siege on the Abuja residence of a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, last night by officers of one or more of the Nigerian security agencies.
Almost 24 hours later, information concerning the basis of the siege remains hazy and the subject of speculation, apart from reports that the invasion was pursuant to a search warrant issued by a Magistrate Court in Abuja, which search warrant has now been revoked.
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.
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.
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.
I have spoken with My Lord, Peter-Odili JSC 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.
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.
******************************
Olumide Akpata – NBA President
Comments following the statement all condemned the act as undemocratic and politically motivated. Find a few of the comments below;
EMUOBOHWO MUDIAGA ODJE
Lovely response because the NBA is not a political party and Nigerian people should not expect NBA to do the work of the political leaders.. It is merely a pressure group and good to have responded on time too. The NBA does not control any security agencies, neither is the NBA the NASS who are duty bound by the grundnorm to address the issues of abuse of power by the executive arm of government against the people of the country.. Nobody should expect NBA to do anything else but to speak out timeously.
SAMSON ALONGE
When they refer to Nigeria as a zoo l feel bitter but I know realise the country has been turned to a zoo. Can DSS invade the house of this supreme judge without the backing of the relevant authority? We are in for it in Nigeria only God can save us.
Can’t the NBA sanction Abubakar Malami to make a statement? This is the second nocturnal raid of residences of justices of the SC under his watch. Malami is a member of the NBA, if found culpable he should not go scot-free. It will set a precedent for future abusers of the officers of the temple of justice.
FERDINARD TERWASE KUSUGH
Olumide Akpata , I join you, Mr. President, in condemning this repeat of history on the Justices of our nation’s apex Court, which is obviously on spurious grounds!
Whatever the motivation for this action, it stands to reason that it is one attack too many, on the honour and integrity of or esteemed Justices, the judiciary, and the entire body of the judicial and legal system of our dear country!
UGBONG JEROME
Enough is enough. That was the first of their well orchestrated schemes to deprive her of the position of CJN. Unlike Onnoghen, CJN (as he then was) they don’t want my lord Peter Odili to even get there before they initiate their kangaroo arrangements to unseat her. The NBA must rise to the occasion, this time to save the judiciary. Once beaten, twice shy!
MUOEMEKA KINGSLEY
The presidential President! It’s been long we had a vibrant president like u! Thumbs up sir. U have distinguished yourself.
IFEANYI IKENNA AUGUSTINE
You have said it all Mr. President. Kudos.
BRIDGET OBOH OMOH-ASUN
Well said. Mr president urgent action need to be taken oh.
********************************
These are some of the remarks trailing the statement by the President of the Nigerian Bar Association on his Facebook page.
This will mark the second time under the Buhari regime that Nigerians have observed the very undemocratic draconian raid on residences of our Supreme Court Justices by a government that enjoyed all the tenets of democracy to ascend to power.
It is hoped that all democratic forces within and outside Nigeria will rally around our Judiciary to ward of this seemingly consistent desecration of our judicial system.
Crossfire Reports asserts that the message of the NBA President, Mr. Olumide Akpata is very clear, the NBA will not standby and watch our judicial institution being treated like subordinates of any arm of government and we hope Nigerians and the relevant arms of government will rise up against this barbaric acts of an abusive executive arm of government.
At Crossfire Reports, we will tell your story and we take both sides of the story and subject matter. Also place your adverts on www.crossfirereports.com and send your stories opinions to mike@crossfirereports.com
