Diri says the sting operation, ill-advised
By Emma Ogbuehi
Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has condemned the raid on the Abuja residence of Supreme Court jurist, Justice Mary Odili, by security operatives.
Diri said the raid was an ill-advised sting operation and urged probe of the action.
Diri described the action as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary, which is an independent arm of government. He called on the Federal Government, which controls the security agencies, not to only investigate the incident but to also ensure that those found culpable are brought to book and properly sanctioned.
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Senator Diri argued that such condemnable acts by security agencies make a mockery of Nigeria’s democracy and the principle of separation of powers.
He said the world was watching to see how the Federal Government handles the incident, which according to him, was another ugly episode and one too many on the attacks by security operatives on the homes of judicial officers in the country.
Diri added; “Nigeria is not a Banana Republic that security operatives would just take the laws into their hands. The raid on Justice Mary Odili’s residence is highly condemnable and should not be glossed over by any responsible government.
“I urge the Federal Government to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take needed actions against those found culpable.
“For me, the ill-advised raid was an attempt to intimidate the judiciary, judicial officers and custodians of the highest temple of justice. It is yet another attack on Justices in our country that deserves condemnation and should not be allowed to happen again.”
Many Nigerians and groups have condemned the invasion of Odili’s home. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which described the action as an affront on the judiciary, has vowed to get to the root of the matter.
Also, the immediate past National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus has described as huge embarrassment and an insult on the judiciary the search carried out in the home of Justice Odili.
Prince Secondus said that nothing can explain the embarrassing act of the security operatives on the Judge who has put in much in the service of her fatherland.
He said that relevant authorities should come clean on what informed such ignoble and dishonourable behavior and render unreserved apology to the Justice and the Judiciary.