The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu has condemned the invasion of the Abuja residence of a Supreme Court Judge, Mary Odili by security operatives on October 29, 2021.
He described the incident as a violation of her rights to privacy, integrity, judicial personality, premises and office.
The Executive Secretary therefore, called on the government to ensure that the perpetrators be made to account for their professional misconduct by arresting and prosecuting them adding that Justice Mary Odili deserved a public apology from those responsible.
“These are the only deterrents that can forestall future desecration of the rights to privacy, the integrity of the person, residence and office of our judicial officers especially at that level.”
Mr Ojukwu also said the invasion of the residence of one of the most senior judicial officers in the country was highly condemnable in any democratic setup, describing it as another affront to the judiciary.
Speaking further, the human rights boss said, “The judiciary is a very important arm of the government that should not be ridiculed under any circumstance, adding that 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,“ he added
He said the NHRC would not relent in its efforts to train and retrain law enforcement officials to always mainstream human rights in their operations.
PIAK
