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BREAKING: Policemen Refuse To Vacate Supreme Court Justice, Odili’s Home As EFCC Denies Role

Published

4 years ago

October 29, 2021

Policemen have continued to camp outside the home of Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili, at 9 Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission denied its role in the operation despite court documents to the contrary.

The EFCC Spokesman, Mr Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement that the commission had no hand in the matter and advised members of the public to disregard any news to the contrary.

The statement read in part, “The attention the EFCC has been drawn to claims in a section of the media that operatives of the commission today, October 29, 2021, stormed the Maitama, Abuja home of a Judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili, purportedly to execute a search.

“The commission by this statement wishes to inform the public that the report is false as it did not carry out any operation at the home of Justice Odili. If there was any such operation as claimed by the media, it was not carried out by the EFCC. The commission enjoins the public to discountenance the report.”

Documents seen by The PUNCH, however, show that the EFCC was part of the Odili investigation which is being handled by the Joint Panel on Recovery in the Federal Ministry of Justice under the leadership of Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney-General of the Federation.

The panel comprises representatives of the EFCC, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Ministry of Justice.

The probe, it was learnt, was targeted at her husband, Peter Odili, who was Governor of oil-rich Rivers State from 1999 to 2007.

A witness, Aliyu Umar, said in the affidavit dated October 13, 2021, that he had given the information to the EFCC.

It read in part, “I have observed some illegal activities going on in those houses within Abuja are illegal and hereby report the said matter to the law enforcement agency.

“I hereby state that all information provided by me to the EFCC is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.”

In a second affidavit deposed to by a senior police officer, CSP Lawrence Ajodo, the panel applied to a chief magistrate in Abuja seeking a search warrant to search the house.

The Chief Magistrate, Emmanuel Iyanna, subsequently approved the search warrant on October 29, 2021.

Odili, who was governor from 1999 to 2007, obtained a perpetual injunction from a Federal High Court in 2007 which barred the EFCC from investigating or prosecuting him.

In 2020, he approached a Federal High Court again to get another injunction to stop an impending probe.

Last month, the former governor sued the Nigeria Immigration Service for seizing his passport at the airport.

In its response, however, the NIS said it was the EFCC that asked it to seize Odili’s passport as part of a probe.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, however, ordered immigration to release the passport to Odili immediately.

An impeccable source told The PUNCH that Justice Odili, who is one of the most senior judges in the country, was upset about the decision of the EFCC to search her home.

The source said, “EFCC operatives armed with a search warrant stormed Justice Odili’s home today, claiming to be investigating her husband.

“Justice Odili insisted that it was her personal house and not her husband’s own.

“As I speak to you, the operatives are still there, insisting that they search the house.”

An impeccable source told The PUNCH that Justice Odili, who is one of the most senior judges in the country, was upset about the decision of the EFCC to search her home.

The source said, “EFCC operatives armed with a search warrant stormed Justice Odili’s home today, claiming to be investigating her husband.

“Justice Odili insisted that it was her personal house and not her husband’s own. As I speak to you, the operatives are still there, insisting that they search the house.”

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Metro

VIDEO: Police Rescue Man Who Attempted Suicide On High-tension Pole In Anambra

Published

3 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Anambra State Police Command have rescued a 28-year-old man, identified as Okwudili Onyiba, who attempted to take his own life by climbing a high-tension power transmission pole in Awada, Idemili North Local Government Area.

The command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the incident occurred on Tuesday evening behind Grace of God Mission, off NEPA Road, Awada.

The statement read, “Anambra State Police Operatives attached to the Awada Division, in the evening of 2nd September 2025, successfully rescued a man who attempted to commit suicide by climbing a power transmission high-tension pole situated behind Grace of God Mission, off NEPA Road, Awada.

“Upon receiving the distress information, the operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, cordoned off the area to prevent danger, and controlled the large crowd that had gathered. After several minutes of persuasion by the Police and some concerned members of the public, the man eventually climbed down safely.

“He was immediately taken into protective custody at the station, where he identified himself as Mr. Okwudili David Onyiba, aged 28 years.”

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, was said to have since ordered a comprehensive medical and mental health evaluation for the victim.

He further assured that the command would provide necessary support to ensure his well-being.

The command also urged members of the public to seek lawful and peaceful ways of addressing personal challenges.

“Always seek lawful and peaceful solutions to personal challenges, and to reach out to family, friends, or relevant support groups in times of distress,” the statement read.

Watch the video below:

https://x.com/MobilePunch/status/1963175042457469285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1963175042457469285%7Ctwgr%5E8826849e63371556c40f915aab783b6738a99fc7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpunchng.com%2Fvideo-police-rescue-man-who-attempted-suicide-on-high-tension-pole-in-anambra%2F

Metro

Lagos Enforces Ban, Seizes Single-use Plastics From Supermarkets

Published

4 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Lagos State Government has seized banned single-use plastics from some supermarkets in different areas of the state.

The state Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a video shared on X.com on Wednesday.

The video revealed the enforcement officers confiscating single-use plastics, cups, and products with attached single use plastic straws.

Wahab’s caption read, “Our enforcement team today visited Blenco Supermarket in Lekki to enforce the ban on single use plastics.

“This action is part of our wider efforts to ensure compliance with the etate’s directive on phasing out SUP, which poses serious environmental risks and worsens flooding across Lagos.

“The team also visited Blend and Temple Hill Supermarkets in Ire-Akari, Jendol Supermarket in Jakande Estate, Ejigbo and Lastprize and Reno supermarkets situated in Liasu Road in Idimu.”

Wahab noted that the team will continue to monitor, enforce, and work with businesses to adopt sustainable alternatives that safeguard our environment.

The enforcement which commenced on July 1 comes after an 18-month moratorium during which businesses were urged to phase out prohibited plastics and adopt eco-friendly alternatives.

The ban prohibits the sale and use of disposable plastic bags, including the widely used black nylon bags.

The state government says the move is part of a wider clampdown across markets and retail outlets to ensure compliance with its environmental protection laws.

Metro

JUST IN: Benue, Plateau Attacks: DSS Arraigns Nine Prime Suspects

Published

7 hours ago

September 3, 2025

Editor

The Department of State Services, DSS, has arraigned nine prime suspects in connection with the recent killings in Benue and Plateau States.

Channels Television reports that the DSS also charged a suspected gunrunner arrested with Seven M16 rifles.

The nine suspects were being accused of complicity in recent deadly attacks in Yelwata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, as well as in parts of Plateau State.

More to follow…