…NBA to meet Security Chiefs over Justice’s invasion
The Attorney-General of the Federation, (AGF), and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), has ordered the investigation of the security operatives involved in the invasion of the residence of Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Odili’s Abuja residence.
Recall that security operatives on Friday had invaded the Odili’s house on the claim that “illegal activities” were going on at the house.
Malami, who refuted media reports that he was involved in the process, insisted that the purported warrant issued has “criminal undertones”.
In a statement issued by his media assistant, Dr. Umar Jibrilu Gwandu, Malami pointed out several anomalies in the documents submitted by the invading security men. He vehemently denied that his ministry was involved in the raid.
In a related development, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has stated that the invasion of Mary Odili’s residence is an “affront” on the judiciary.
According to the NBA president, the association will hold a meeting with heads of “relevant” security agencies to get more information on the issue.
The warrant presented to search the property was reportedly issued by a chief magistrate at Wuse Zone-6, Emmanuel Iyanna, in favour of one Lawrence Ajodo, identified as a Chief Superintendent of Police and a member of the investigation team under the asset tax recovery panel of the Ministry of Justice.
The warrant, however, did not bear the name or the correct residential address of the Supreme Court Justice. While Odili’s address is 7, Imo river street, Maitama, the address on the warrant is 9, Imo Street, Maitama. The magistrate has since revoked the warrant.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), has dismissed claims that it was involved in the raid, while Abubakar Malami has ordered a probe into the invasion.
Reacting to the situation via a statement yesterday, Akpata said the fact that the EFCC and Malami have denied their involvement in the operation, “suggests the inference that the residence of the second most senior judicial officer in Nigeria was raided by rogue security agencies”.
