Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered detailed investigation into the controversial invasion of Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili.
Abuja home of Mrs Odili, the wife of a former governor of Rivers State, Peter Odili, was on Friday, October 29 raided by security agents last week, acting on a search warrant issued by a magistrate, which was later rescinded.
The warrant request had concealed the identity of the target whom a whistleblower had accused of carrying out illegal activities at the residence.
The warrant was requested by Lawrence Ajodo, a Chief Superintendent of Police attached to Assets Recovery Investigation Team under Ministry of Justice.
Odili, who was governor of the oil-rich state from 1999-2007, got a judgement at Federal High Court in Abuja against Economic and Finance Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other agencies, restraining the commission and others from arresting or prosecuting him.
The court’s orders followed a suit that was instituted by Mr Odili against Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) for impounding his international passport upon his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom in June this year.
NIS in its defence had informed the presiding judge that it seized Mr Odili’s travelling documents based on a request by EFCC.
Federal Ministry of Justice and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission denied involvement.
Speaking about the raid, IGP said the “leadership of the Force is not aware and did not at any time order Police operatives to carry out such assignment”.
He described the violation of the sanctity of the residence of the Justice of the Supreme Court as “unfortunate and unacceptable”.
This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, on Monday, titled, ‘Reported invasion of Justice Odili Abuja residence: IGP orders investigation …Says perpetrators would be made to face the wrath of the law.”
Part of the statement reads;
Consequently, the IGP has directed the Force Intelligence Bureau to conduct a discrete investigation into the incident. He assured the commitment of the Force to the safety and security of the members of the Judiciary and Nigerians in general.
He further called for calm, promising that the Force will do all within its powers to unravel the perpetrators and motives behind the breach with a view to bringing all indicted persons to book.
It added;
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory to strengthen security around the street and residence of Her Lordship, Justice Mary Odili JSC to ensure her safety and also to prevent a reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident.
The IGP assured that the details of Police investigations would be made public on conclusion of investigations.
The invasion has been widely criticised, including by Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and federal lawmakers who have demanded an investigation.
