News
Mary Odili @ 68: An Amazon At The Bench
By Chuks Ekpeneru
Justice Mary Ukaego Odili has distinguished herself as a lawyer, jurist and even more significantly as a housewife. It, however, remains a fact that she will always be referenced by her marital engagement to one of Nigeria’s most enigmatic political personalities, Dr. Peter Odili.
The chemistry between the lawyer and the doctor is one that has defied the normal marital relationships between Nigeria’s successful politicians who make a mockery of their marriages while climbing the political ladder.
But the tale of marital fidelity between Peter and Mary and the love they share is, however, different and has bemused several of their associates.
It is even beyond the bond that their Roman Catholic background has espoused. It is the stability of their home that has helped the couple to weather some of the torrents that have come their way on account of their exposure.
Mary was born 12 May 1952 in Amudi Obizi, Ezinihitte-Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State to the family of Eze Bernard Nzenwa and Ugoeze Benadette Nzenwa.
Ukaego commenced her career in the judiciary as a Magistrate grade III in November 1978. She married Peter Odili in 1979 and gave birth to a daughter, Adaeze.
But the tale of marital fidelity between Peter and Mary and the love they share is, however, different and has bemused several of their associates.
Between 1980 and 1988, Ukaego served as Chief Magistrate Grade I, Chairman of the Juvenile Court, President, Marine Board of Inquiry into the 1979 Buguma Boat disaster, Chairman, Constitution Drafting Committee of the University of Nigeria Alumni Associates, Inaugural Chairperson of the International Federal of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Rivers State and Secretary, Nigerian Horticultural Society.
With her support, Peter entered politics and served as a member and leader of Rivers State Delegates to the Constituent Assembly. In 1992, while she was a High Court Judge, Odili was serving as the Deputy-Governor.
The husband served as Governor of Rivers State from 1999 to 2007.
She had held the offices of Justice, Court of Appeal, Abuja Division and Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division.
She was appointed an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) by President Goodluck Jonathan and was administered the oath of office by Chief Justice Katsina-Alu on 23 June 2011.
She was the leader of the Five Person Panel at the Supreme Court that nullified the Gubernatorial Election of David Lyon after his deputy was found wanting for submitting fake certificates during pre-election screening after they were declared winners in November 16, 2019 Bayelsa State gubernatorial elections.
This judgment prompted an attack on her residence.
The attack was described by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Debo Adesina as a calculated attempt to harass, intimidate and blackmail not just the person of Hon. Justice Odili JSC, but also the Supreme Court and the entire institution of the Judiciary in Nigeria.
Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us
And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG
