The federal government on Wednesday arraigned 15 suspects before a Federal High Court in Abuja over the invasion of the residence of Justice Mary Odili of the Supreme Court.
While 15 of the suspects were produced in court, others were said to be at large.
- NIGERIA DAILY: How Tax Increase May Plunge More Nigerians Into Hardship In 2022
- How Nigeria borrowed N2.5tr in 3 months – DMO
Those arraigned are Ajodu Lawrence, Michael Diette, Barr Alex Onyekuru, Bayero Lawal (alias Director of EFCC), Barr Pijo Ernest, Aliyu Umar Ibrahim, Hajia Maimuna Maishanu, Dr Ayodele Ogundipe, Yusuf Adamu, Bashir Musa, ASP Muhammed Yahaya, Stanley Ikpazima, Shehu Jigo, Abdullahi Adamu and Abdullahi Usman.
The suspects were arraigned on 18-count charges bordering on forgery, conspiracy to commit felony, attempted extortion, among others.
They were alleged to have been involved in the invasion of Justice Odili residence on October 29 in Maitama, Abuja, purportedly to execute a search warrant issued by a magistrate court in Abuja.
The Inspector-General of Police and the Attorney-General of the Federation had disclaimed the team identified as the Joint Panel Recovery Unit in the Ministry of Justice, led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police. This had prompted the court to revoke the warrant.
Meanwhile, Justice Nkeonye Maha has granted bail to 13 of the defendants whose lawyers brought a formal bail application to court.
She ordered the defendants to be remanded in the correctional centres in Kuje and Sultan pending the fulfilment of their bail conditions.
She adjourned the case to January 17, 2022, for hearing.