Human rights commission demands arrest of operatives involved in raid on Odili’s home

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the invasion of Mary Odili’s residence.

Security operatives had on Friday invaded the house of the supreme court justice based on information that “illegal activities” were going on there.

Abubakar Malami, attorney-general of the federation (AGF), had denied involvement in the raid while calling for an investigation of the incident.

Tony Ojukwu, executive secretary of the commission, in a statement on Monday, described the invasion as a violation of Odili’s right to privacy.

Ojukwu said the supreme court justice “deserves a public apology from those responsible for their professional misconduct”.

“The perpetrators must therefore be made to account for their professional misconduct by arresting them, prosecuting them,” he said.

“These are the only deterrents that can forestall future desecration of the rights to privacy, integrity of the person, residence and office of our judicial officers especially at that level.

“The independence of the judiciary must be respected at all times.

“Time has come to punish this kind of professional misconduct by erring law enforcement officers to forestall total destruction of the integrity of judicial offices and the judiciary.

“This should be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians in the interest of our nascent democracy, independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights and rule of law.”