Retired Justice Mary Peter-Odili Denies Allegations of Judicial Influence in Presidential Election Petition
A retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter-Odili, has vehemently rejected allegations suggesting that she is exerting influence over judges of the court of appeal and the Supreme Court to ensure a favorable judgment for President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential election petition tribunal.
The ongoing legal battle stems from the challenge posed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, along with the flagbearer of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), who are collectively contesting the validity of Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election held on February 25, 2023.
A Twitter user named Jackson Ude made the accusation that Peter-Odili is assisting Tinubu in securing a judgment in his favor at the tribunal.
In response to this accusation, Peter-Odili issued a press statement through her spokesperson, Felix Enebeli, categorically denouncing the claim as “false and malicious.”
The statement elaborates, “While the defamatory nature of the false allegation has been referred to her lordship’s legal team for appropriate action, we find it necessary, particularly for the public’s clarity, to issue this definitive denial of the false claim.
“We utterly reject all allegations presented in the publication and emphasize that the publication is unfounded, malicious, and a calculated attempt to tarnish the esteemed reputation and unblemished character of her lordship.
“It is worth mentioning that this publication has the potential to incite public sentiment against her lordship on a matter of considerable national significance.
“To set the record straight, her lordship is not a legal advisor to any party nor is she in any way associated with or engaged in any of the presidential election petitions or any other election petitions whatsoever.
We urge the public to disregard and dismiss this unfounded publication.”
Enebeli further conveyed that Peter-Odili’s legal representatives are addressing the situation and have requested a public retraction and apology from Ude.
Enebeli added that if Ude fails to rectify the situation, legal action will be pursued in court to seek appropriate redress.
