Felix Enebeli, spokesperson to Mary Peter-Odili, a retired
justice of the supreme court, says a speech delivered by his principal at a
public event last Friday was mischievously taken out of context.
He also blamed “some conflict entrepreneurs” and “persons
determined to force her speech to fit jaundiced narratives and political
nuances” for the perceived slant.
During a colloquium organised in Abuja to mark the 25th
anniversary of Joe Gadzama as a senior advocate of Nigeria, Odili had warned
against fanning the embers of hatred, tribalism and bigotry.
“I say so in the light of the prevailing situation in
Nigeria as a result of the 2023 general elections which has generated a lot of
storms, necessitating the conversation which we are about to indulge in, as
there seems to be moves to throw the nation into chaos or conflagration,” she
had said.
“This may be brought about by some individuals and groups
who, fanning the embers of hatred, bigotry, and tribalism, fail to see the
possible outcomes of the utterances without caution that are being thrown
around.
“It is human to feel cheated or having the short end of the
stick by one who is not declared the winner at any of the electoral contests.
“Such emotion, however grim, does not justify bringing the
roof down, the roof of our nation.
“The reason is simple,
that in such an eventuality, that aggrieved person may not be spared, as the
commotion that could ensue would be like an unguided missile which could land
anywhere and upon anyone.
“Therefore, in ventilating our points of view and facts at
the electoral tribunals or other courts, a sense of responsibility from all
parties is demanded.
“The situation does not call for the blackmail of the judges
or the posting of speculatory hypothesis, giving them such a life of their own
which runs riot and is accepted by the hapless and innocent in the society as
the truth.”
She had also described Wole Olanipekun, President Bola
Tinubu’s counsel at the election tribunal; and Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general
of the federation as “master” and “experts”.
Both men were among the audience.
Her remarks had elicited mixed reactions on social media
platforms.
Tinubu’s election victory is being challenged by Atiku
Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour
Party (LP).
Some had accused the retired justice of taking sides with
her speech, as the presidential election tribunal prepares to deliver judgment
on Wednesday.
‘UNPROVOKED VITUPERATIONS’
However, in a statement on Tuesday, Enebeli said Odili
acknowledged that the 2023 elections ‘generated a storm’ and “advised all those
who were not declared victorious in the elections to toe the line of legality
and follow the rules of law in expressing their dissatisfaction through
appropriate channels and not ‘pull down the roof of the nation'”.
“This is because of its far-reaching consequences on
everyone, including all agitators, regardless of what side of the fence they
found themselves. Surely, this is common sense advice,” the statement reads.
“It is emphasized that there is nothing in the comments that
suggested a reference to those who lost in any particular election in any state
or region.
“The 2023 general elections were in four categories: the
state houses of assembly, governorship, national assembly, and Presidential
elections.
“Moreso, the lawyers who attended the events, especially the
named ones, were called upon, in their professional capacity, to find solutions
to the challenges facing the 2023 elections irrespective of their leaning.
“Wole Olanipekun SAN is the immediate past Chairman, Body of
Benchers who handed over to Justice Mary Odili.
“Lateef Fagbemi SAN is the Hon. attorney-general and
minister of justice of Nigeria and the host J. K. Gadzama SAN is a known lawyer
who has done several cases for the PDP.
“These lawyers are globally acknowledged as strong in
litigation. The several other lawyers in attendance are possibly handling
various cases for politicians.
“The unprovoked vituperations are a sad reflection of the
reason for the cautionary comments of Justice Mary Odili, and the vain struggle
to give it momentum to political gains is unhelpful.
“Regardless of the fact that Hon. Justice Mary Odili (who is
a retired justice and is free to express her views like any other person), the
mischievous efforts to apply a wicked twist of bias, championed by the same
persons who are bullying the judiciary and threatening to pull down the roof
without recourse to due process, fall flat.”
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I hope it is wrong for people to speak prejudice of a matter in court, let alone a supreme court justice of Mary Odili standing. I now know why certain things happened to her.
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