The Nigerian Bar Association, Benin Branchbm (the Lion Bar), on Sunday joined its voice with that of the national body, other well-meaning groups and individuals in condemning the Gestapo-like invasion of the Maitama residence of Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, at late hours of Friday.
In a statement jointly signed by the Chairman Pius Oiwoh and Secretary Andrew Lawani, the Lion Bar described the act as reckless, unbecoming, shameful and abnormal. The body said the action was absurd, abominable, desecration and one too many.
It said the brazen use of security operatives to harass judicial officers greatly undermines the independence of the judiciary and poses a great danger to the integrity and sanctity of the judiciary which the citizens expect to be virile, agile and effective.
“This most recent act also further diminishes the reputation of our judiciary and indeed the Nigerian state before the eyes of well-meaning Nigerians and the International community.
“While we eagerly wait to participate in the emergency NEC meeting summoned by the dynamic President of our noble Association where resolutions will be made as an association, in the interim, we join others to call on the Federal Government to urgently cause an investigation into this matter to be commenced particularly in the light of the denial of knowledge of the action by the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, the Honourable Attorney General.
“We eagerly await the outcome of the investigation which we hope will get to the root of the matter and recommend heavy sanctions upon those involved in this act, as this will clear the doubts that it was carried out by State actors and restore some modicum of trust and credibility in the democracy which we practice,” the statement read.
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