National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the protest at the residence of Supreme Court Justice, Mrs Mary Odili and husband, Dr. Peter Odili, by thugs believed to be of the APC, but which the ruling party said were actually those of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In a statement denying the accusation by the Rivers State Government, accusing him and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva, of being behind the protests last week, Oshiomhole’s statement by his spokesman said: “As a matter of principle, Oshiomhole condemns any harassment Hon. Justice Mary Odili had suffered for a judgment she gave within her powers as a judicial officer.”
Oshiomhole noted that it is the police that should give account of what happened at the residence of Odili based on investigation and not the Rivers State government in Port Harcourt.
In the statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Simon Ebegbulem, the APC chief added, “This reckless defamation of the character of Oshiomhole is unbecoming of a state government that is supposed to operate under the rule of law including fairness and justice to all.
“The statement is an egregious assault on the reputation that has taken Oshiomhole a life-time to build. For clarity, Oshiomhole was not in any way involved in the action that took place at the residence of Dr. Odili, a gentleman for whom Oshiomhole has tremendous respect as a friend of many years despite political differences.
“Oshiomhole as a one-time beneficiary of judicial redress of injustice, always holds the judiciary in the highest esteem and the obedience of court orders.
“Dissatisfied as a party, the APC under Oshiomhole’s leadership has returned to the Supreme Court seeking the review of the judgement, That is the democratic culture to which Oshiomhole subscribes…..
“We hereby call on the Rivers State Government to toe the path of decency and withdraw the defamatory statement with due apologies.”