A plea has been made by the Global Network for Justice and Equity for Prof. Chidi Odinkalu to halt his continuous attacks on judges and the judiciary as a whole.
This request follows a ruling by an Abuja High Court that limited protesters to specific locations to avert disorder and lawlessness in the nation.
In a statement released in Abuja on Thursday, the group expressed its concern that Odinkalu’s consistent disparagement of the judiciary and judicial officials would not bring any benefits to the country, but could lead to catastrophic outcomes in the long run.
Makinde Moses, the National Coordinator of the organization, urged the law professor to address national issues with maturity and impartiality rather than emotional reactions.
Regarding the criticisms aimed at Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the High Court of the FCT, who issued the order on July 31 restricting protesters in Abuja to the MKO Abiola National Stadium, the group voiced deep apprehension that Professor Odinkalu failed to recognize the wisdom behind the judge’s ruling.
In media reports, Odinkalu condemned Justice Oriji for granting the order that confined the August 1 protesters to the National Stadium, based on a legal action brought by the FCT Minister to prevent the use of Eagle Square and to deter protesters from invading the Aso Rock Villa.
According to the group, Justice Oriji’s decision, which upheld the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protests while considering the rights of others, was a patriotic move that averted potential embarrassment, loss of lives, and damage to public and private property in Abuja and the entire Federal Capital Territory.
The statement from the group emphasized the importance of understanding the facts correctly and affirmed that Justice Oriji’s actions were appropriate given the circumstances.
In light of this, the group commended the judge for his handling of the situation and criticized Odinkalu for attempting to tarnish Justice Oriji’s reputation without valid grounds.
It further stated that the court order played a crucial role in preventing casualties, violence, and property damage during the protest, and reasoned that the backlash against the order stemmed from political motivations rather than genuine concerns.
The statement concluded by dismissing Odinkalu’s allegations as baseless and aimed at undermining the credibility of successful individuals, suggesting that such remarks should be disregarded.