There were indications late yesterday night that security operatives stormed and raided the homes of about four prominent judges suspected to have handed in judgments against the interest of the Federal Government in some criminal and election petition cases.
Some of the affected judges include, Justice Nwali Sylvester Ngwuta of the Supreme Court, Justice Adeniyi Ademola and Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja and Justice Muazu Pindiga, who initially handled the Rivers State gubernatorial election petition tribunal before he was removed for allegedly not cooperating in nullifying the election of Governor Nyesom Wike.
It was learnt that the Abuja homes of Justices Ademola and Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja were raided for allegedly granting bail to retired Air Commodore Mohammed Umar of the Presidential Probe Panel on Arms.
Mr. Umar was arrested following allegations of fraud, illegal possession of firearms and abuse of trust. He was granted bail with a bond of N100 million.
The official quarters of Walter Onoghen, who was recently recommended to President Buhari as the next Chief Justice of Nigeria, and Sylvester Ngwuta also of the Supreme Court were besieged by the SSS for several hours overnight.
Multiple sources said the clampdown began in Gombe State where the SSS arrested Muazu Pindigi who served on the elections tribunal in Rivers State.
The operation continued in Abuja on Friday night into early Saturday morning.
Mr. Ademola was later arrested in the early hours of Saturday while Mr. Dimgba’s brother was assaulted by the operatives.
Both judges are neighbours on Samuel Ogbemudia street of the Apo quarters.
In Rivers State, police and SSS officials on Saturday morning reportedly assaulted Governor Nyesom Wike after he attempted to prevent them from arresting a judge.
The officers reportedly stormed the home of the judge, whose identity Mr. Wike withheld, at 35, Forces Avenue, Port-Harcourt, the state capital.
A statement by Mr. Wike’s spokesman, Oraye Francis, said the operation was led by the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Francis Odesanya, and the Director of SSS, Tosin Ajayi.
The operatives, “rough-handled Governor Wike, pushing him around and injuring his hand,” Mr. Francis said. “A few of the operatives cocked their rifles and threatened to shoot the Governor.”
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