TheCable

Peter Odili, former governor of Rivers, appeared in court on Monday to allegedly intimidate the judge handling a suit filed against Chidi Odinkalu, a human rights lawyer.

Odili had sued Odinkalu over a book he co-authored with Ayisha Osori.

Odili  said the authors ridiculed him and soiled his reputation in the book titled “Too Good To Die: Third Term and the Myth of the Indispensable Man in Africa”.

He demanded an apology and N1 billion from the writers of the book, and also requested that further publication of copies of the book must cease immediately.

When the case came up before Kingsey-Chuku of the Rivers state high court in Port Harcourt, Odili attended proceedings in person.

He was accompanied by several serving and retired public officers from Rivers state. They were accorded with regards.

The judge was appointed in March and was intimidating, according to multiple sources in the courtroom.

Idaye Opi, counsel to the defendants, prayed the court to adjourn the hearing to give him time to make his case.

Opi said he was still within the seven days window as he only received the suit on November 29 via substituted means.

He also said the defence was also well within the 42 days period to enter appearance, which took effect November 29.

Kanu Agabi, Odili’s counsel, insisted they had a motion for an interlocutory injunction which must be heard today.

At the end the court delivered an interim order along the lines of counsel’s undertaking, according to the judge.