Stop childish attacks on Judges, group tells Odinkalu

A civil group, Global Network for Justice and Equity has warned Prof. Chidi Odinkalu to stop his incessant attacks against Judges and the the entire judiciary so as to prevent chaos and anarchy in the country.

The group in a statement on Thursday in Abuja said that the incessant denigrating of the judiciary and judicial officers by Odinkalu would not do the nation any good but can only spell doom in the end.

National Coordinator of the group, Dr Makinde Moses appealed to the law professor to always be matured and objective on issues of national importance rather than being childish in his responses.

Apparently reacting to the verbal attacks unleashed on Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the FCT in his July 31 order that restricted Abuja protesters to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the organization expressed deep worry that a personality like Prof Odinkalu did not see any wisdom in the overall decision of the Judge.

According to the group, the patriotic decision of Justice Oriji saved the Abuja residents and indeed the entire Federal Capital Territory a lot of embarrassment, wanton destruction of lives, public and private properties in the hands of hoodlums that hijacked the good intentions of the genuine protesters.

The group’s statement read in part “We have read the publications and comments by Prof. Chidi Odinkalu and his co-travellers aimed at bringing the name and office of Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji of the High Court of FCT, Abuja to disrepute.

“From the publications and comments, it is clear that Odinkalu and members of his group did not read or understand the ruling of the Court. It has therefore become imperative to state the facts correctly in the interest and benefit of the reading public.

“As at July 31, 2024, the Hon. Judges of the High Court of FCT, Abuja were on annual vacation. The Court is still on vacation. The Hon. Chief Judge of the High Court of FCT, Abuja appointed His Lordship, Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji and four other Hon. Judges to serve as vacation Judges to entertain urgent matters.

“When the suit concerning the protest was filed by the Hon. Minister of FCT, Abuja on July 31, 2024 along with a motion ex-parte for interim injunction and a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction, Hon. Justice Oriji entertained it as a vacation Judge.

“It is instructive to note that Hon. Justice Oriji did not grant the main prayer sought by the Hon. Minister of FCT, which was to stop the protest. The prayers are in the Court Order.

“As stated in the Order, the Court recognized the right of citizens to embark on peaceful protest. The Court also noted that other citizens are also entitled to their constitutional rights.

“It would appear that the Court considered the facts before it to arrive at a decision that will be in the interest of the protesters, other citizens and the entire country, especially the residents of Abuja.

“One of the facts before the Court was a letter dated July 26, 2024 written by one Damilare Adenola (2nd defendant) in the suit on behalf of “TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, FCT” to the Hon. Minister of FCT (the applicant). The letter is attached herewith for ease of reference.

“In the letter, the protesters notified the Hon. Minister of FCT of their decision to “use the Eagle Square as a point of convergence”. In addition, the protesters requested that “the outer wire mesh barrier facing the Aso Rock Villa be removed in the meantime, as protesters may decide to visit the Presidential Villa during the protest.”

“There is no gainsaying the fact that if the Court had allowed the protesters to converge at the Eagle Square as stated in the letter, any attempt to enter the Presidential Villa would have been resisted by security agents. This would have led to unimaginable casualties and possible loss of lives.

“In these circumstances, we believe that Hon. Justice S. C. Oriji considered it appropriate and expedient to order that the protesters should converge at the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

“The Judge granted their request to converge at a venue but not the Eagle Square venue sought in their said letter. The Judge also made an Order for security agencies to protect the protesters.

“So, what wrong did the Judge do? Let the truth be said: the Hon. Judge ought to be commended instead of denigrated.

” Our opinion, which appears to be the opinion of well-meaning residents of Abuja, is that the Order of the Court under focus helped to reduce casualties, looting and destruction of properties of citizens and government facilities during the period of the protest.

“We believe that the only group of people that were and are not pleased with the Court Order are the detractors and political opponents of the Hon. Minister of FCT and the President of the Country.

“These detractors hold the view that the Hon. Minister is not suitable to be the Minister of FCT, Abuja in spite of the numerous achievements of the FCT Administration under his leadership.

“Similar orders were granted in Lagos, Kwara, Ogun and few other States. One wonders why Odinkalu and his cohorts have no grouse about the orders in those States and the Hon. Judges that made the orders.

“It would appear that these detractors and political enemies of the Hon. Minister intended to use the protest to make the FCT, Abuja ungovernable in order to discredit the Hon. Minister.

“We concede that Chidi Odinkalu and his co-travellers are entitled to express their views on the Court Order. However, it was childish and irresponsible for Odinkalu to attempt to make a caricature of the name of the Hon. Justice Sylvanus Chinedu Oriji. A man who prides himself as a Professor of law ought to show respect and regard for His Lordship and his office.

“It is evident from the above facts that the coincidence that Hon. Justice Oriji and the Hon. Minister of FCT hail from Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State has nothing to do with the the Court Order. After all, the case is not personal to the Hon. Minister of FCT but concerns the FCT Administration.

“Also, as noted earlier, the Court did not grant the orders sought by the Hon. Minister to stop the protest in its entirety.

“In his publication, Chidi Odinkalu, in his desperate effort to impugn the credibility of the Hon. Judge, alleged that: “Even before the Court rose for the day, the order was already in the public domain blaring from all government media. It read uncannily as if the order had been granted even before the case was filed.”

“This allegation is spurious, unfounded and can only be made by a man whose handiwork is to malign anybody who is successful or making progress in his or her career. Such a person should be ignored and his views disregarded”, the statement said.