We Will Leave No Stone Unturned In Our Bid To Unmask Those Behind Odili JSC’s Home — NBA President, Akpata

*Says All Those Involved, No Matter How Highly Placed, Must Be Brought To Justice
* Calls On IG To Unveil Masterminds

The leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has vowed not to relent until all those who are involved in the siege last week on the Abuja home of Justice Mary Peter-Odili, the number two Justice of the Supreme Court, are brought to book.

The President of NBA, Mr. Olumide Akpata, who stated this Thursday in Abuja, also noted that the denial of the federal government and its agencies was not enough and called on the Inspector General of Police (IG) to unmask the police officers who might have directed the operation.

Akpata spoke at a valedictory court session held in honour of late Justice Samuel Oseji, who died late September at the age of 67.

The NBA president, who stated that although the event was meant to celebrate the lifetime of the late jurist, whom he said is of impeccable character, argued that: “My Lord Hon. Justice Oseji himself would not forgive us if all we do today is to celebrate his life whilst we turn a blind eye on the actions of these agents of government who are obviously intent on desecrating and denigrating this Honourable Court and indeed the entire Nigerian judiciary.”

According to him, the sting operation by faceless security personnel calls for grave concern as it is undoubtedly an attempt to intimidate the Judiciary and to dissuade judges and justices from dispensing justice without fear or favour.

“We are thoroughly dissatisfied with the denials emanating from the relevant agencies and departments of government and we have vowed to leave no stone unturned in our bid to unmask all those behind this attack and to bring to justice anyone found culpable, no matter how highly placed.

“Whilst we note that the Inspector-General of Police has announced the arrest of all the officers who invaded the residence of Hon. Justice Mary-Odili, we however demand that the veil of secrecy behind those who directed the said officers must be torn to shreds for them all to also be brought to justice,” he said.

The NBA president further assured Nigerians that the body will, with equal determination, call out and discipline any of its members who is found to have been part of this despicable attempt to ridicule the Judiciary.

He also advised members of the Bar against singing discordant tunes in condemnation of attempts to desecrate the sanctity of the Bench.

He said: “The cacophony of often discordant voices emanating from what ordinarily should be one Bar, on this same issue, has almost become comical and those to whom we purport to direct our umbrage may be forgiven for not taking us seriously.

“It serves no useful purpose, after the NBA has clearly articulated a position on such a serious matter, for other groups within the association, whether they be a body of senior or junior advocates, to muddy the waters by embarking on needless road shows and issuing statements that only serve to portray our association, and indeed our approach to the issue at hand, as uncoordinated and ultimately ineffective.”

He emphasised that the NBA is the only voice of the legal profession in Nigeria and it has spoken unequivocally on this issue and shall follow it up with unmistakable resolve.

While extolling the virtues of the late Justice, both the NBA and body of senior advocates (BOSAN) represented by Awa Kalu (SAN) hailed his dedication and commitment as judicial officer.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, on his part described Osuji’s 35 years in his service to his fatherland and the generality of mankind as meritorious.

According to Muhammad, his rise to the Supreme Court bench was a testimony of hard work and total submission to the dictates of his profession.

“His judicial pronouncements have occupied vital pages of law books across the continent of Africa and beyond,” he added.

Justice Samuel Oseji, who hailed from Idumuje-Uno in Aniocha North Local Government of Delta State, was born in Jos, Plateau State on June 2, 1954.

He attended the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to study Law in 1980 and after graduating with LL.B (Hons) degree, he immediately proceeded to the Nigerian Law School in Lagos where he was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 1985.

He was sworn into the bench of the apex court in November 2020, but died late September 2021 after a protracted illness.