Labour Party hits back at ex-Supreme Court justice’s praise of AGF, Tinubu’s lawyer

The Labour Party has responded to remarks attributed to retired Supreme Court Justice Mary Peter-Odili.

During a recent event in Abuja, Justice Odili referred to Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and Wole Olanipekun (SAN) as “experts” and “masters.” Both Fagbemi, who serves as the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), and Olanipekun, who represented President Bola Tinubu as his lawyer at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, were present at this event.

These comments have generated reactions from Nigerians, particularly as the tribunal is set to announce judgments on cases involving President Tinubu (APC), Atiku Abubakar (PDP), and Peter Obi (Labour Party) on September 6.

In response to Justice Odili’s statements, the Labour Party has accused the retired justice of displaying bias through her speech. The party’s spokesperson, Obiora Ifoh, issued a statement, which reads as follows:

“The unguarded statement from the former Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Justice Mary Odili in Abuja last week at a colloquium to mark the 25th anniversary of the elevation of a renowned jurist, JK Gadzama to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and the boasting of some persons, serving Ministers and notable legislators about the outcome has left our party in shock.

“When those who should know the importance of the sanctity of the judiciary descend to the arena of abusing it with their preemptive utterances just to show loyalty and support to their interests, we as a party see this as unfortunate and dangerous to our democratic journey as a nation.

“We note also the needless lavish showering of praises on the legal counsels of both APC and Candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the retired Justice when the gathering was not theirs.

“We find this extremely undignified of a renowned jurist who rose to the peak of her career in the country’s Apex court and who as the Chairperson of the body of benchers, should be at the forefront of defending the virtuousness of the courts.”

The party urged Nigerians to remain peaceful, noting that without the rule of law, there will be no progress in the country.

“Meanwhile, we implore Nigerians to remain calm and peaceful, abide by the rule of law, and understand that this matter has not reached its logical and final conclusion,” the party added.

“Our concern as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s project especially the democratic evolution is that what is being destroyed with all these clever by half playing on people’s intelligence is Nigeria as a nation not necessarily an individual.

“Anybody who loves this country should appreciate the importance of due process and the rule of law because, without it, this country is going nowhere.”