Prof. Nwabueze, SAN To Deliver Speech At Supreme Court Valedictory Session In Honour Of Odili JSC’s Retirement

Respected Legal Sage and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Ben O. Nwabueze is scheduled to grace a Valedictory session of the Supreme Court in honour of Honourable Justice Mary U. Peter Odili, JSC, CFR.

In an invitation to the nonagenarian lawyer sighted by The Lawyer and signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Dr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, the valedictory session which will mark Justice Odili’s retirement from the Supreme Court bench will hold on Thursday, 12th of May, 2022 at the Main Court Room.

The invitation also cordially requested Prof Nwabueze to deliver an address at the session on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates.

It read; “On behalf of my humble self and brother Justices of the Supreme Court, I cordially invite your Honour to deliver an address at the Valedictory on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocate of Nigeria”

Hon. Mr. Justice Mary Ukaego Odili nee Nzenwa was born on the 12 May, 1952 at AmudiObizi, Ezinihitte – Mbaise L.G.A. of Imo State.

She attended various Primary Schools including St Benedict’’s Primary School, Obizi Ezinihitte, St Michael’s Primary School, Umuahia, St Agnes Primary School, Maryland, Lagos and Our Lady of Apostles Primary School, Yaba, Lagos between 1959 and 1965.

She also attended various Secondary Schools including Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Yaba, Owerri Girls Secondary School, Owerri, Mbaise Girls Secondary School, Mbaise and the Queen of the Rosary College, Onitsha between 1965 and 1972.

She later proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (Enugu Campus) and obtained her Bachelor’’s Degree in Law (LL.B (Hons)) in 1976. She attended the Nigerian Law School in 1977 for her B.L certificate.

Her previous professional appointments/positions includes:

Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Abeokuta, Ogun State (1977 – 1978)

Pupil State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Benin, Bendel State (1978)

Magistrate Grade III, Benin, Bendel State (1978 -1979)

Chairman, Juvenile Court, Benin, Bendel State (1978 – 1979)

Magistrate Grade II, Rivers State(1979 – 1981)

Chairman, Juvenile Court, Rivers State (1979 – 1981)

Magistrate Grade I, Chief Magistrate Grade I (1981 – 1992)

Judge, High Court of Rivers State (1992 – 2004)

Justice, Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division (2004 – 2010)

Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Kaduna Division (2010 – 2011)

Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter Odili was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC) on 23 June, 2011.

She was conferred with National Honour Commander Federal Republic (CFR)

She is happily married with children.