News
Apex Court Probes Invasion Of Justice Odili’s Residence …Assault On Odili, Plot To Compromise 2023 Polls -PDP
The Supreme Court, yesterday, described the invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s residence by unknown security operatives as impunity taken too far.
This is as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the recent onslaught on the residence of Supreme Court judge, Justice Mary Odili was part of a grand design by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack the 2023 elections “as it did in 2019.”
It said it has commenced a full-scale independent investigation to unravel the true masquerades behind the mystery as well as the real motives behind the whole incident.
The apex court, in a statement by its Director of Press and Information, Dr. Akande Festus, said that the attack was uncivilised and a shameful show of primitive force on an innocent judicial officer.
The court warned that the Judiciary should not be misconstrued by any individual or institution of government as the whipping child among the three arms of government.
The statement, read in part: “We are alarmed by the news of the unwarranted and despicable raid on the official residence of one of our senior justices in the Supreme Court, Hon. Justice Mary Peter Odili, on Friday, 29th October, 2021, in a Gestapo manner.
“The attack unfortunately depicted a gory picture of war by some armed persons suspected to be security operatives representing different agencies of government who seemed to have come to kill and maim their target under the guise of undertaking a search whose warrant was questionable and baseless.
“We are deeply saddened and taken aback by this uncivilised and shameful show of force on an innocent judicial officer that has spent several years of her productive life serving the country she calls her own.
“This incident brought back, rather painfully, the ugly memory of the October 2016 midnight invasion of the homes of our respected justices with no satisfactory explanations as to the true motive behind such brazen assault on our collective sensibility.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear that the Nigerian Judiciary is the third arm of the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and should be respected and treated as such.
“We have had a full dosage of this fusillade of unwarranted and unprovoked attacks on our judicial officers, and even our facilities across the country, and we say, enough is enough.
“The Judiciary should never be construed by any individual or institution of government as the arm of government that must always be chastised and ridiculed into silence because of our conservative disposition.
“Though there have emerged discordant tunes from the various security agencies that allegedly participated in the dastardly act, we are not lying low on this dehumanizing treatment meted out to one of our own.
“We have commenced a full-scale independent investigation to unravel the true masquerades behind the mystery as well as the real motives behind the whole incident.”
He equally called on the Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to rise up to the occasion by carrying out a discreet investigation and to make his findings known to the Nigerian public with a view to bringing the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible.
Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said the recent onslaught on the residence of Supreme Court judge, Justice Mary Odili was part of a grand design by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to hijack the 2023 elections “as it did in 2019.”
This is even as the party described the attack on Justice Odili as “horrendous, rascally, irresponsible, completely unjustified and should not be swept under the carpet on the guise of misleading whistleblower operation.”
In a statement, yesterday, signed by spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP noted that the paw prints of the APC “are visible in the incident, in its desperation to cow the Judiciary and subvert the cause of justice ahead of the 2023 elections.”
The statement read: “It is clear that the attack on Justice Odili is part of a renewed script by the APC. Nigerians will recall how, ahead of the 2019 election, former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, was clandestinely yanked off from his hallowed chamber, preparatory to the massive rigging that characterized the 2019 Presidential election.
“Nigerians can equally recall how respected judges were assaulted by the APC administration through obnoxious sting operations in a bid to arm-twist the Judiciary and set the stage for the endorsement of a culture of impunity that characterised the 2019 elections.
“The PDP, however, cautions the APC and its Presidency apparatchik to know that times have changed. Nigerians are not ready to stomach a repeat of APC’s coordinated assault on our institutions of democracy, but will firmly resist them with every means available within the ambit of the law.
“The party also urges the Judiciary to remain firm and not be deterred by the suppressive proclivities of the fizzling APC that has since been rejected by Nigerians.
“The PDP calls on Nigerians to stand in defence of our democracy by continuing in their demand that the real perpetrators of the attack on Justice Mary Odili be exposed and brought to book.”
The Transmission Commission of Nigeria has announced electricity disruption in parts of Kano, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, and Yobe States, as well as Gazaoua in the Niger Republic.
The spokesperson of TCN, Ndidi Mbah, disclosed this in a statement yesterday
The outage is due to planned maintenance at Kumbotos’ 330 kilovolt transmission substation on Sunday.
Consequently, electricity customers served by Kano Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, and Yola Electricity Distribution Company will experience power disruption.
“The scheduled maintenance is to enable the TCN contractor to continue the ongoing upgrade of 330kV bus II jumpers and replace the existing 350mm² conductors with 800mm² conductors in order to strengthen the transmission network and improve power reliability.
“As a result, Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and some part of Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) and Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) will be unable to off-take power for distribution to their customers in Kano, Katsina, and Jigawa States, as well as Azare in Bauchi State, Nguru in Yobe State, and also Gazaoua in the Niger Republic,” TCN stated.
The group also urged the National Assembly leadership to ensure that anyone found culpable is prosecuted where sufficient admissible evidence exists, while all diverted or unaccounted public funds are recovered and paid into the treasury.
In a letter dated June 27, 2026, and signed by its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, SERAP said the allegations were contained in the Auditor-General of the Federation’s 2022 Annual Report, published on September 9, 2025.
The organisation disclosed this in a statement signed and released by Oluwadare, yesterday.
SERAP also asked Akpabio and Abbas to disclose the identities of contractors and companies, including their shareholders and beneficial owners, that allegedly received constituency project funds but failed to execute the projects.
It gave the National Assembly seven days to act on its recommendations, warning that it would institute legal proceedings should the legislature fail to respond.
“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within seven days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal actions to compel you and the National Assembly to comply with our request in the public interest,” the letter stated.
It said, “The allegations involve several federal ministries, departments and agencies, including the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON); the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Volm; the Federal Polytechnic, Udana; the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP); and the National Institute of Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS).
“The Auditor-General identified numerous cases of payments into private bank accounts, contracts awarded without due process, payments for contracts not executed or services not rendered, undocumented expenditures, inflated contracts, procurement irregularities and failures to account for public funds, recommending in each case that the funds be recovered and remitted to the treasury.
“According to the 2022 audited report, contained in pages 367 to 396, the Environmental Health Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON or Council) Abuja paid over ‘N22 million [N22,944,565.16] into the private account of some members of staff of the Council from the Constituency Projects Fund Account.
“There ‘was no evidence of the utilization of the funds and no explanations on the purpose for the payment of such amount into the individual accounts.”
SERAP added, “The Council (EHORECON) also in 2021 ‘awarded suspicious consultancy contracts of over N12 million [N12,030,818.29] for the development of Modern Abattoirs in Kebbi State and the supervision of 7 projects in Kebbi, Jigawa, and Headquarters Abuja.
“The money was to ‘produce bills of quantity, architectural design, structural design, mechanical design, and electrical designs for the contracts and supervision.’ But ‘the ‘items could not be found.’”
Altogether, SERAP said the Auditor-General’s 2022 report alleged EHORECON paid more than ?1.8 billion in constituency project funds through questionable transactions.
For the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, SERAP said the institution “in 2022 reportedly ‘paid over N279 million [N279,700,500.00] to 3 contractors to empower and train youths in selected vocational areas in Borgu and Kontagora, Niger State, train women and youths in entrepreneurship in Niger East Senatorial District and to train youths and women in agro production and self-reliance in Barki Ladi/Riyom Federal Constituency, Plateau State.
“But the money was paid to the contractors without any document.’”
Other irregularities involving the college include another ?279.7 million in mobilisation fees allegedly paid without documentation, and more than ?629.4 million paid to unqualified contractors for various constituency projects without evidence of due process, contract advertisements or details of the contractors.
SERAP further alleged that the Auditor-General’s report identified multiple financial irregularities involving the Federal Polytechnic, Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, including over ?407 million allegedly paid as mobilisation fees without supporting documents, more than ?399 million paid to unqualified contractors, contracts allegedly inflated by over ?192 million, over ?279 million paid for projects not fully executed, ?50 million allegedly paid for an unexecuted borehole project, and more than ?83 million disbursed without the required documentation or approvals.
It also alleged that NAPTIP reportedly irregularly awarded contracts worth over ?21.8 million, paid more than ?176.8 million for logistics and consultancy services without supporting documents, and disbursed over ?89.6 million and ?4.4 million for projects that were allegedly not executed.
The report also alleged that NILDS failed to submit audited financial statements for 2012 to 2022, did not remit over ?15 million in stamp duties, and spent ?1.6 million without authorisation from the Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation.
SERAP said the report recommended the recovery of the affected funds and their remittance to the treasury.
It argued that corruption in constituency projects disproportionately affects poor and vulnerable Nigerians by diverting resources meant for public services and development.
It added that the National Assembly, in exercising its oversight responsibilities, should demonstrate leadership by ensuring accountability in the management of constituency project funds.
The organisation further argued that the allegations, if established, would amount to breaches of the Constitution, the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007 and the Public Procurement Act 2007, which require transparency, accountability and due process in the management of public resources.
The State Commissioner for Works, Professor (Engr) Temple Nwofor, gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen during the June induction ceremony of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt branch, at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
He said most ongoing projects have their timeline and will be completed as scheduled.
“All our ongoing projects are doing well. They are doing well.
” I don’t think there are any issues with them, they are progressing very well .
“They all have their timeline, those that have their timeline will definitely finish, most of the signature projects,” he said.
Nwofor who was the Guest of Honour at the induction ceremony, also called for continuous professional development among Engineers to keep them abreast with modern trends in the profession.
He also urged them to acquire other skills that will make them useful in their careers.
Speaking on “Engineering Beyond the Drawing Board Through Ethical Leadership and Service To Society,” the guest lecturer, Dr Ibiye Amafabia called for continuous professional development.
“Ethical leadership demands that we stay current through continuous professional development.
“Leverage on trainings, workshops, seminars and conferences organised by NSE and your various divisions to keep yourselves abreast of new development.”
Amafabia further said engineers must be accountable for any projects, and and warned against shifting of blame especially when projects fail.
She also urged engineers to be good citizens of their communities by helping their xommunities overcome challenges of flooding, building collapse and oil spills, among others.
“In Port Harcourt, the capital of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the ethical challenges are immense.
“We see the environmental impact of decades of extraction, we see the tension between industrial profit and community well-being.
“The ethical engineer is a mediator, a steward of the environment and an advocate for the vulnerable,” she said.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Nigerian Society of Engineers, Port Harcourt branch, Engr. Belema Ekine, said the society has a rich legacy of excellence, innovation and service spanning decades.
Ekine said engineers hold the key to solving complex challenges, shaping the infrastructure of communities and drive technological advancement that benefits society at large.
He charged the new inductees to see themselves as torchbearers of the society future, saying “it is upon your shoulders that the responsibility rests to uphold the highest standard of professionalism, ethics and integrity.
“Embrace the principles of lifelong learning, for the field of engineering is ever evolving.
“Seek opportunities for continuous growth, nurture your skills and stay at the forefront of emerging technologies.” he charged.
John Bibor/Alyede Promise/Membere Orinaemi/Iyoma Oluebube
-
Rivers2 hours ago
Rivers Police Uncovers Firearm Concealed In Loaf Of Bread
-
Business3 hours ago
Navy Nabs 13 Black Sand Miners In Bayelsa –Impound Two Boats
-
Business3 hours ago
Navy Hands Over Five Suspected Stowaways to NIS
-
Business3 hours ago
FG to Roll Out 10,000 Electric Tricycles By August –Sheittima
-
Business3 hours ago
NIWA Concessions Waterways Clean-Up to Indigenous Coy
-
Nation3 hours ago
Self Help Africa programme expands water access for 320,000 Nigerians
-
Niger Delta2 hours ago
Diri Fetes Bank’s MD, Ex-D’Gov At Diamond Anniversaries … Hails Duo Over Services To Bayelsa
-
Niger Delta3 hours ago
A’Ibom NUJ Worries Over Scavenging Activities In Eket