PEPT: Odilli Threatens to Sue for Defamation

For the second time in one week, another reputable retired jurist of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili has denied allegations that she is currently negotiating a pathway for President Bola Tinubu, as well as meeting regularly with Appeal and Supreme Courts’ judges to give the President a soft landing at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal (PEPT).

In a press statement signed by the retired jurist’s media assistant, Felix Enebeli while denying, described every aspect of the allegation, initiated by Jackson Ude, as false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt at smearing the integrity and solid reputation of her lordship.

“Our attention has been drawn to a publication circulating in the social media against the person of the retired Justice Mary Ukaego Peter-Odili, wherein the author, one Jackson Ude, falsely and maliciously alleged inter alia, that the revered jurist is “currently negotiating a pathway for Bola Tinubu” and that “she meets regularly with Appeal and Supreme courts” in that regard” Enebeli replied.

The statement reads further: “While the defamation arising from the false allegation has been referred to the lawyers of her lordship to deal with in accordance with the law, we consider it appropriate, particularly for the sake of the public, to issue this unequivocal denial of the false allegation. We deny every allegation contained in the publication and state that the publication is false, malicious, mischievous and a deliberate attempt at smearing the integrity and solid reputation of her lordship. We say nothing of the fact that the publication has the potential of inciting the public against her Lordship on an issue of grave national importance.

“For the records, her lordship is neither a judicial consultant to anyone nor is she in any way connected with or involved in any of the presidential election petitions or any other election petition whatsoever. The public is hereby urged to disbelieve, disregard and ignore this false publication”.

The retired Justice media aide disclosed that lawyers acting for Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili had been instructed to demand retraction and public apology from the publisher, Jackson Ude, failing which redress would be sought in a court of law.

Meanwhile, a criminal complaint has been lodged with the police by the jurist.

In addition, lawyers acting for Justice Mary Peter-Odili have addressed petitions to the State Security Service, the Nigeria Police and Interpol, calling for immediate investigation of the grave and malicious allegation aimed at inciting the public against her.