Supreme Court Judge, Mary Odili Retires [Photos]

A former First Lady of Rivers State and Supreme Court judge, Justice Mary Odili, has retired from the service of the apex court.

Naija News learned that Mrs Odili retired from the service of the Supreme Court after reaching the compulsory age of 70.

Speaking during a valedictory court session held in her honour on Thursday, Odili tasked the apex court to immediately address the issue of the State of Origin and residency.

The wife of the former governor of Rivers State stated that the two issues affect women especially and must be tackled in the journey of nation-building.

He said: “The issue should be given immediate attention, lest we ignore the matter at the risk of a lost opportunity to set the ship of state on the right course.

“The follow-up on this matter of state of origin or residency and the import thereto have thrown up the fact that the women have seen themselves taking the short end of the stick on account of marriage outside the state of their birth.

“These are matters that need urgent attention in our journey of nationhood and building and sustaining thereof.”

In his speech, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Ibrahim Muhammad, described Mrs Odili as an epitome of “jurisprudential finesse with an irrepressible voice in the temple of justice”.

Muhammad also said the retiring judge has entered the revered history books of the country’s judiciary as the third woman to rise to the apex court.

The CJN revealed that the former Rivers first lady held sway in the discharge of her judicial functions.

In his remarks, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, commended Mrs Odili for her meritorious service to the judiciary and the nation.

The minister described the retiring judge as a true image of a renowned jurist and African heroine.

Some of the dignitaries at the ceremony include former Governor of Rivers State and husband of the retiring judge, Peter Odili; Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike; Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa state, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau state, among others.