Former Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili says some Nigerian judges avoid punishment because petitions brought against them often lack “raw” or material evidence. Speaking at the South East regional security summit in Umuahia, Odili says the National Judicial Council (NJC) considers petitions against judicial officers, including corruption-related complaints, but will only sanction a judge when the petition contains credible facts and sufficient proof. She argues that petitions that are presented “in a watery form,” without supporting details, make it easier for accused judges to defend themselves and clear the allegations during the process. Odili also emphasizes the accused judicial officer’s right to fair hearing, stating that weak allegations do not translate into verified misconduct. She urges citizens who are dissatisfied with judicial conduct or court outcomes to submit complaints to the NJC, but to include concrete evidence to ensure the petition can be properly handled and verified. Odili’s remarks focus on the evidentiary requirements for action by the NJC rather than on any specific case.
Mary Odili says weakly evidenced petitions can lead to no punishment for judges
Former Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili says some Nigerian judges avoid punishment because petitions brought against them often lack “raw” or material evidence. Speaking at the South East regional sec...
- Mary Odili says some petitions against judges fail because they lack material evidence.
- She says the NJC only sanctions judges when petitions are supported by credible facts.
- Odili says the judiciary/NJC considers petitions, including corruption allegations.
- She attributes lack of punishment to weak allegations that allow accused judges to defend themselves.
- Odili urges petitioners to submit complaints with concrete evidence to enable proper verification and action.
Former Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili (rtd) has said that many petitions against judges in Nigeria fail because they lack solid evidence, allowing the accused judicial officers to escape punishment.She explained that the National Judicial Council (NJC) will only sanction a judge when a petition is supported by material facts and credible evidence.Justice Odili made the remarks on Thursday at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia during the South East regional security summit organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence.She noted that the NJC attends to every petition brought against judges, including those related to corruption. However, she stressed that allegations presented without sufficient proof enable the accused to clear themselves.“A lot of concerns have been raised in society about whether justice is what it should be. Some people have grievances about some judges please send your petitions to the National Judicial Council,” she said.“The Chief Justice of Nigeria attends to every petition that comes against any judicial officer, but some petitions come in a watery form without facts, without the material support needed for the petition to be properly handled.“Remember, the judge you are accusing, or whom you believe has committed an infraction, has a right to fair hearing. So he can extricate himself from the accusations if the petition is weak and lacks the necessary facts.”She urged Nigerians dissatisfied with court outcomes or judicial conduct to file petitions with the NJC, while ensuring they provide concrete evidence.“Once your petitions are verified and have the necessary credence, that judge will get the necessary punishment,” she added.Justice Odili also assured Nigerians that the judiciary would continue to play its role in promoting justice, peace and security in the country.
3 hours agoA former judge of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili (Rtd) has said that lack of raw evidence in petitions filed against judges in the country has been enabling the judges to escape punishment. According to her, NJC will only punish a judge if the petitions against such judge comes with material facts backing the […] Why some Nigerian judges escape punishment despite petitions – Ex-Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili
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