Mary Odili has said that some Nigerian judges avoid disciplinary action because many petitions filed against them lack credible evidence.
Speaking at the South-East Regional Security Summit held at the International Conference Centre in Umuahia and organized by the Federal Ministry of Defence, the retired Supreme Court Justice explained that the National Judicial Council only acts on petitions supported by verifiable facts and material evidence.
According to Odili, the Council gives serious attention to every complaint against judicial officers, but allegations without sufficient proof often fail because judges, like every other citizen, are entitled to a fair hearing.
She said that petitions submitted in a “watery” form—without concrete evidence or supporting materials—make it easier for accused judges to clear themselves of wrongdoing.
Odili encouraged Nigerians who are dissatisfied with court decisions or who suspect judicial misconduct to submit petitions to the National Judicial Council. However, she stressed that petitioners must provide credible and verifiable evidence to support their claims.
She assured the public that once allegations are properly substantiated, the National Judicial Council will impose appropriate disciplinary measures on any judge found guilty of misconduct.
The former justice also reaffirmed the judiciary’s commitment to upholding justice, peace, and security in Nigeria through fair and impartial administration of the law.
