Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has publicly challenged Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over claims that he misrepresented a Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers State political crisis.
In a strongly worded statement on Sunday titled “I Did Not Lie Against the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” human rights lawyer Femi Falana refuted accusations made by Nyesom Wike, describing them as “spurious and tendentious.” The legal luminary accused the minister of attempting to incite the apex court against him following his recent legal commentary.
Wike Accuses Falana of Misrepresentation
During a press conference in Abuja, Wike lambasted Falana for allegedly misrepresenting the Supreme Court judgment during a television interview on Channels TV. According to the FCT Minister, “If someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it’s very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises.”
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The crux of the dispute lies in the Supreme Court’s judgment on the controversial defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike believes Falana’s comments distorted the position of the court.
Falana Denies Wrongdoing, Defends Right to Criticize Judiciary
Responding to the allegations, Falana maintained that his interpretation of the judgment was legally accurate and constitutionally protected. “I did not lie against the Supreme Court in respect of the judgment in question. All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent Justices of the apex court,” he clarified.
Falana noted that there is ample evidence—including videotapes and sworn affidavits—confirming the lawmakers’ defection. He also reminded the public that the matter was still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt when the Supreme Court issued its ruling.
Invoking Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Falana emphasized that his right to critique judicial decisions is constitutionally guaranteed.
Falana Calls Out Wike’s Alleged Hypocrisy
Turning the tables on Wike, Falana accused the former Rivers State Governor of hypocrisy, citing a history of attacking judges whose rulings did not align with his political agenda. “Unlike Mr. Wike, who calls judges names whenever they disagree with his politics of opportunism, I have always criticised the judgments of domestic and regional courts with utmost decorum and in good faith,” he said.
Falana reinforced his position with references to notable judicial perspectives. He quoted the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa’s famous dictum in Adegoke Motors Ltd v. Dr. Babatunde Adesanya, stating, “We are final not because we are infallible; rather, we are infallible because we are final.”
He also cited a statement by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad: “You have the responsibility of drawing our attention to where things are going wrong or on the verge of going wrong.”
“Report Me if You Can”—Falana Dares Wike
In a bold challenge, Falana dared Wike to take legal action. “Since he has become the unsolicited defender of the judiciary, I challenge him to report me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct,” he said.
The legal luminary warned that the Supreme Court’s evolving stance—requiring strict proof of defection via a party’s membership register—could legitimize political betrayal and promote instability. He called on the court to reaffirm earlier judgments, such as Attorney-General of the Federation v. Abubakar and Abegunde v. Ondo State House of Assembly, which declared that legislators lose their seats upon defection.
Wike’s “Television Lawyer” Jibe Dismissed
In a final jab, Wike reportedly referred to Falana as a “television lawyer” after a recent court loss. He, however, dismissed the remark, asserting, “It is no crime if a lawyer loses a case in any court. Only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts.”
He also mocked Wike’s credentials, stating, “Mr. Wike is the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial court or appellate court.”
He concluded that Wike’s efforts to discredit him and provoke the judiciary had fallen flat, insisting that the allegations against him were baseless and politically motivated.
Conclusion
With Falana Challenges Wike emerging as a legal showdown laced with political undertones, the episode underscores the delicate intersection between legal interpretation, free speech, and political rivalry. As the controversy unfolds, all eyes remain on whether Wike will take up the challenge to initiate formal disciplinary proceedings—or if this battle of words will simply fade into the Nigerian legal-political landscape.
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