Prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has fired back at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following the latter’s recent public criticism.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, had accused Falana of misrepresenting facts regarding a Supreme Court judgment on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also dismissed the senior advocate as a “television lawyer” and mocked him for allegedly losing the case.
In a swift response titled “I Did Not Lie Against the Supreme Court of Nigeria”, Falana rejected Wike’s assertions, saying, “It is no crime for a lawyer to lose a case in court. Only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts.”
Taking a direct jab at the Minister, Falana described Wike as “the only Life Bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial or appellate court.”
He further explained that contrary to Wike’s claims, both video and affidavit evidence exist confirming the lawmakers’ defection to the APC. “It is public knowledge that Mr. Wike celebrated the Supreme Court judgment with a thanksgiving service. Yet, he attacks me for commenting on the same ruling,” Falana noted.
Challenging the basis of Wike’s criticisms, Falana invited him to file a complaint with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if he believes there was any professional misconduct. “Unlike Mr. Wike, who insults judges when rulings don’t align with his politics, I have always critiqued court decisions with respect and in good faith,” he stated.
Falana cited past comments by respected jurists such as the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and former Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad, both of whom supported constructive criticism from legal practitioners.
He also expressed concern that the Supreme Court’s recent stance on defection—particularly the requirement for a political party’s membership register—could embolden unprincipled politicians and encourage “political prostitution.”
“In the interest of political stability and national morality, I urge the Supreme Court to reaffirm its earlier judgments in cases like Attorney-General of the Federation v. Abubakar and Dapialong v. Dariye,” Falana added.
Concluding his statement, Falana dismissed Wike’s remarks as a “desperate bid to incite the Justices of the Supreme Court,” and warned that the Minister must be stopped from “parading himself as the unsolicited defender of the judiciary in Nigeria.”
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