Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna of Wuse Zone 6 magisterial division in Abuja says the Ministry of Justice under Abubakar Malami, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) deceived him into signing a search warrant for the residence of Supreme Court Justice Mary Odili.
Mrs Odili, wife of Peter Odili, a former Rivers State governor, had a seige laid at her place of abode Friday evening. She reportedly refused to let in the operatives who were said to have attempted to break in despite her telling them that they were at the wrong address.
She said her residence is numbered 7 and not 9 which the search warrant bore.
The operatives were said to be agents of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) although the anti-graft agency denied participating in the operation despite an affidavit with court-filing showing that a whistleblower blower, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, had approached it deposing on October 13 that there were illegal activities going on at said residence located at 9, Imo Street, Maitama.
Mr Iyanna had assented to the warrant on Friday, a day after it was requested by the ministry headed by Mr Malami, often accused of severally breaching extant laws despite being the chief law officer of the federation.
The warrant request was made by CSP Lawrence Ajodo attached to the Joint Panel Recovery of the Justice Ministry.
But revoking the warrant in a new order same day security agencies made the invasion, Mr Iyanna said he was deceived into signing the search warrant.
“Upon misrepresentation to this honourable court that led to the issuance of a search warrant in favour of Joint Panel Recovery, Ministry of Justice, against House 9, Imo Street, Maitama, Abuja, dated October 29, 2021,” the senior magistrate said in a fresh order. “In view of the above fact, the said search warrant is hereby revoked.”
TODAY POLITICS learnt that the revoking of the order forced the operatives to withdraw from the residence before the arrival of Nyesom Wike, Rivers State governor, at the scene.
