Deborah Onyofufeke
Outgoing Supreme Court Justice, Mary Odili, speaking at the valedictory court session held in her honor yesterday, joined in the call for restructuring of the country.

Justice Odili who took a bow today from Nigeria’s Judicial system upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70yrs noted that there is a need for Nigeria to take all of the restructuring advice she has been given in the past and work towards it.

Justice Odili, disturbed by the state of affairs in the country noted that the issue of restructuring of the country has been resonating for some time and although she cannot speak much on it, it could be a great option for Nigeria.

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She explained that her concerns are stemmed from the fact that some of the people pressing for it are very serious men with the acuity of intellect, accompanied by their respective track records.

According to the retiring Justice of the apex court, “The issue should be given an immediate attention, lest we ignore the matter at the risk of a lost opportunity to set the ship of state on the right course”.

Justice Odili also said that a person can claim to be a member of a state, with the number of years he has lived there and if it’s his choice, instead of the locality of birth of his parents.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) in his speech, described retired Justice Odili as the true image of a renowned jurist and African heroin.

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He also said the executive arm of government will work with the judiciary for critical reforms that would facilitate speedy trials and enhance confidence in the Justice sector of the country Malami reiterated the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to respecting the dignity and independence of the judiciary as well as promoting a harmonious relationship between the executive and the judiciary.

The Chief Law Officer also urged the judiciary to adopt innovation in technology to ensure a more effective and efficient justice delivery system for the benefit of all Nigerians.
While commending the judiciary for its role in enthroning a virile, dynamic, and democratic culture in the country, Malami also applauded the apex court for its landmark judgments which have contributed to strengthening and sustaining the democracy in the country.

In his speech, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad showered encomiums on the retired Justice, describing her as an epitome of jurisprudential finesse, an insuperable lioness with an irrepressible voice in the temple of Justice.

The CJN said, Justice Odili, has entered the revered history books of the country’s judiciary as the third woman to rise up to the apex court in the land and held sway in the discharge of her judicial functions.