The police have arrested 14 persons allegedly linked to the October 29 invasion of Justice Mary Odili’s apartment in Abuja.
The suspects were paraded on Thursday at the Force headquarters in Abuja.
Some of them include a fake chief superintendent of police, Lawrence Ajodo; a journalist with one of the national dailies, and an Islamic scholar.
Force PRO Frank Mba said at least 10 more persons linked with the incident including two military personnel are at large.
The suspects are Ajodo Lawrence (principal suspect), Michael Diete-Spiff, Alex Onyekuru, Bayero Lawal, Igwe Ernest, Aliyu Ibrahim, Maimuna Maishanu, Ayodele Akindipe, Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Musa, Mohammed Yahaya, Stanley Nkwazema, Shehu Jibo, Abdullahi Adamu, and Mike (other name unknown).
According to the police, the suspects are members of a well-organised criminal gang with a web-like involvement of individuals drawing from their different competences, professional background and social contacts.
Membership of the syndicate include suspects with background in public service, business, law, journalism, banking, among others.
The police further said the facts of the case from investigations have it that one Aliyu Ibrahim, an acclaimed whistle blower, following a baseless and unverified information he got from one Yusuf Adamu – parading himself as the godson of former Rivers State governor Peter Odili – that there is a huge sum of money in foreign currencies starched in the residence.
It was earlier reported that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) carried out a search on the Supreme Court justice’s house. But the commission denied it.
Attorney general of the federation Abubakar Malami also denied giving such order and called for investigation.
Inspector general of police Usman Baba said the police were not involved in the siege, and ordered investigation.
The incident drew criticism from many quarters including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, and human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, among others.
