Former Supreme Court Justice of Nigeria, Mary Odili, has offered her expertise and perspective on the ongoing discussion surrounding the Election Petition Tribunal.
As the guest speaker at a colloquium and book launch in honor of Chief Kyari Gazama, who recently celebrated 25 years as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Odili addressed the theme, “The Nigeria of Our Dream: A Call to Patriotism.”
Odili commenced her speech by addressing the outcome of the 2023 General elections, which has sparked controversy between the top two presidential candidates and the declared winner, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of All Progressive Congress (APC).
She criticized those who believed that harassing judges could alter the outcome of the election tribunal’s judgment and jeopardize the nation for personal gain.
Odili expressed confidence in Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN (Tinubu’s lawyer) and Lateef Fagbemi, the current Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, praising them as competent litigators experienced in electoral disputes. She regarded them as exceptional in their field.
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Furthermore, she urged all parties not to destabilize Nigeria if the case did not go in their favor.
She also emphasized that the situation should not lead to blackmailing judges or spreading speculative theories, as it could lead to unnecessary unrest
Netizens shared their views on her comments
@chude__ Justice wrote: “Mary Odiri Acusing Nigerians and #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary campaigners of blackmail, for demanding fair Judgement from the Presidential tribunal judges, and at the same time showering praises on APC AttorneyWale Olanikpeku(SAN), is All you need to know about the Nigeria Judiciary system.
“An evil cult.
“This is the handwriting the EU saw and said ‘Only Nigerians can save Nigeria’.
“I hope you are getting ready?
According to @JaypeeGeneral, “Former Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili cannot shut Nigerians up from demanding for democracy and the rule of law. Power belongs to the people. The Justices are working for the people and they can be called to order by the people they serve! Not even Mary Odili can stop us. Read more about her: #AllEyesOnTheJudiciary
Another social commentator who spoke on the issue, @DrEffiong_John stated that, “Mary Odili is one of the most corrupt judges in Nigeria. This is just her way of telling Nigerians that the PEPT judges will do injustice and nothing will happen. It’s now up to us Nigerians to rescue our country. We rather do it now or never. #AllEyesOnJudiciary”