Wife of former Rivers State Governor and retired Supreme Court Judge, Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili has denied a publication making the rounds on social media, alleging that she is “currently negotiating a pathway for Bola Tinubu” with regard to his matter before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).
In a statement signed by her Media Assistant, Chief Felix Enebeli, Justice Odili described the online post by one Jackson Ude titled, “Mary Odili working for Tinubu with the PEPT”, as false and malicious and also denied the allegation that she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme Courts in that regard.
Known for her impeccable reputation and contributions to the legal realm, the retired jurist in the statement, said it was apt to address the malice, stating that while the defamation arising from the false allegation has been referred to her lawyers to deal with in accordance with the law, she considered it appropriate, particularly for the sake of the public, to issue this unequivocal denial of the false allegation.
While denying any engagement in activities that question her judicial integrity, Justice Odili in the statement also denied any involvement with Tinubu or the PEPT in any capacity, describing the publication as false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt to smear her integrity and reputation.
“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 discountenance, disregard and ignore this false publication”, the statement stated.
The statement revealed that lawyers acting for Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili have been instructed to demand a retraction and public apology from the publisher, Jackson Ude, failing which redress will be sought in a court of law.
Meanwhile, a criminal complaint has also been lodged with the police while lawyers acting for the retired Supreme Court Justice are said to have addressed petitions to the State Security Service, Nigeria Police and Interpol, calling for immediate investigation of what it said was a grave, false and malicious allegation aimed at inciting the public against Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili (Rtd).
