Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has cautioned the Federal Government against continuously harassing judicial officers who are the hope of not only the common man but the entire citizenry.
Governor Ortom describes as unwarranted and repressive, the invasion of the residence of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court by agents believed to be those of the Federal Government.
He recalls that this is the second time agents of the state are invading the hallowed homes of top judicial officers for reasons that cannot be properly understood.
Governor Ortom says Justice Odili like her colleagues, late Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice Inyang Okoro whom government agents also invaded their residences in the recent past could be likened to the desecration of the judiciary.
He says if Justices of the Supreme Court could be easy targets for spurious allegations and subsequent invasion of their privacy without following due process, it is a clear indication that Nigeria is indeed heading in the wrong direction.
He describes Justice Odili as an unblemished Nigerian judicial officer who should not be brought into politically motivated battles.
The Governor suggests that instead of politicizing attacks on top judicial officers to embarrass and intimidate them to submit to the whims of the Federal Government, it should be ready to obey all court orders in line with the practice in saner democratic climes.
He stresses that since Nigeria is practising democracy, all the arms of government must be allowed to function optimally without any infringement of the rights of others.
He calls on the Attorney General and Minister of justice to immediately order investigations into the invasion of Justice Odili’s residence and culprits are made to face the full wrath of the law.
