Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, a renowned human rights lawyer has hit back at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing him as “the only Life Bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial or appellate court.”;
Reacting to Wike’s recent allegations by which he accused the lawyer of making false claims on the judgement of the Supreme Court ruling on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Wike had described Falana as “a television lawyer”, mocking him over defeat in a case.
In a statement titled “I Did Not Lie Against the Supreme Court of Nigeria,”; Falana dismissed the allegations, stating that: “It is no crime for a lawyer to lose a case in court. Only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts.”;
He noted that while he regularly appeared before domestic and regional courts across Africa, he chose not to previously respond to Wike’s jabs out of respect for public discourse.
But he felt compelled to issue a rebuttal after Wike’s renewed outburst during a recent press briefing.
Wike had referenced a Supreme Court ruling and accused Falana of lying about the defection issue during a Channels TV appearance.
Falana pointed out that in contrast to Wike’s claims, there is a video and affidavit evidence confirming the lawmakers’ defection to the APC.
He said “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 emphasised his constitutional right to critique judicial decisions, citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Falana claimed that Wike accusations were only trying to incite the judiciary against him and urges the minister to report him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee with evidence of he is suspected of any professional misconduct.
“Unlike Mr. Wike who insults judges when rulings don’t align with his politics, I’ve always critiqued court decisions with respect and good faith,”; Falana asserted.
He also pointed to legal precedents and past statements by respected jurists, including the late Justice Oputa and former Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad, who welcomed critical engagement from the bar.
Falana warned that the recent Supreme Court position on defection—requiring the production of a political party’s register—could embolden “unpatriotic politicians”; and encourage “political prostitution.”;
“In the interest of political stability and national morality, I urge the Supreme Court to continue to uphold its earlier positions in cases like Attorney-General of the Federation v. Abubakar and Dapialong v. Dariye,”; he added.
Falana added that Wike’s attempt to incite the Justices of the Supreme Court had failed and urged Wike to stop masquerading as the judiciary's defender.
