IG Orders Probe of Justice Odili’s Home Invasion

*Denies police involvement in raid

Kingsley Nwezeh

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Baba Usman, has ordered a detailed investigations into the reported invasion of the Abuja residence of Justice Mary Odili, a justice of the Supreme Court.

The IG denied the the involvement of the police in the breach of security of the Odilis.

He said “the leadership of the force was 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”

A statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said the IG ordered the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to probe the invasion.

“Consequently, the IGP has directed the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) 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”, he said.

The IG also directed the Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Sunday Babaji, to strengthen security around the street and residence of Justice Odili to ensure her safety and also to prevent a reoccurrence of the unfortunate incident.

The IG assured that the details of police investigations would be made public on conclusion of investigations.

Some people believed to be security operatives Friday laid siege for more than four hours to the Maitama, Abuja, Justice Odili.

They had conducted a search allegedly in connection with unspecified illegal activities at Odili’s 9 Imo Street, Maitama residence.

Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State visited the Odilis after the security agents left the residence after the search episode.

Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, denied that operatives of the commission were involved in the raid.

The supreme court justice is the wife of Dr Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers, who is presently on the watchlist of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).