Ortom Knocks Buhari Govt Over Invasion Of Justice Odili’s Residence

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has condemned the invasion of the Abuja residence of the Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mary Odili.

Recall that security operatives had stormed Justice Odili’s home in Maitama, acting on a purported court warrant to carry out a search on her home.

However, the Federal Government through the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, denied any involvement in the raid.

In a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Nathaniel Ikyur, Governor Ortom described the invasion of the residence of the Supreme Court judge as “unwarranted and repressive”.

The governor asked the Muhammadu Buhari government to stop embarrassing and intimidating top judicial officers in order to do its bidding.

According to Ortom, the invasion of Justice Odili’s residence was politically motivated, adding that the denial by the government cannot be properly understood.

Ortom, however, urged Malami to immediately order investigations into the invasion and bring the culprits behind the raid to book.

The statement reads: “The Governor said if justices of the supreme court could be easy targets for spurious allegations and subsequent invasion of their privacy without following due process, it is a clear indication that Nigeria is indeed heading in the wrong direction.

“The Governor suggests that instead of politicizing attacks on top judicial officers to embarrass and intimidate them to submit to the whims of the Federal Government, it should be ready to obey all court orders in line with the practice in saner democratic climes.

“He stresses that since Nigeria is practising democracy, all the arms of government must be allowed to function optimally without any infringement of the rights of others.

“He calls on the Attorney General and Minister of justice to immediately order investigations into the invasion of Justice Odili’s residence and culprits are made to face the full wrath of the law.”