By Kamil Opeyemi
Mary Peter-Odili, a retired justice of the supreme court, has denied the allegation that she is currently negotiating with judges of the court of appeal and the apex court to ensure that President Bola Tinubu gets a favourable judgment at the election petition tribunal.
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); Peter Obi, flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) are currently at the tribunal challenging the outcome of the February 25 poll which was won by Tinubu.
One Jackson Ude, a Twitter user, had alleged that Peter-Odili is helping Tinubu secure a favourable judgement at the tribunal.
Reacting to the allegation in a press statement signed by Felix Enebeli, her spokesperson, Odili described the claim as “false and malicious”.
“Our attention has been drawn to a publication circulating in the social media against the person of the retired Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, wherein the author, one Jackson Ude, falsely and maliciously alleged inter alia, that revered jurist is “currently negotiating a path way for Bola Tinubu” and that “she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme courts” in that regard.
“While the defamation arising from the false allegation has been referred to the lawyers of her lordship to deal with in accordance with the law, we consider it appropriate, particularly for the sake of the public, to issue this unequivocal denial of the false allegation,” the statement read
“We deny every allegation contained in the publication and state that the publication is false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt at smearing the integrity and solid reputation of her lordship. We say nothing of the fact that the publication has the potential of inciting the public against her lordship on an issue of grave national importance.
“For the records, her lordship is neither a judicial consultant to anyone nor is she in any way connected with or involved in any of the presidential election petitions or any other election petition whatsoever. The public is hereby urged to disbelieve, disregard and ignore this false publication.”
Enebeli added that Odili’s lawyers are on the issue and have demanded a retraction and public apology from Ude.
Should Ude fail to retract the story, Enebeli said redress would be sought in court.
“Meanwhile, a criminal complaint has been lodged with the police. In addition, lawyers acting for Justice Mary Peter-Odili have addressed petitions to the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police and Interpol calling for immediate investigation of this grave but false and malicious allegation aimed at inciting the public against Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili (Rtd),” Enebeli added