Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Femi Falana, has fired back at Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, describing him as “the only Life Bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial or appellate court.”
Falana’s response comes after Wike accused him of misrepresenting a Supreme Court ruling on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Wike had also described Falana as a “television lawyer” who lost the case and allegedly lied about its outcome.
In a statement titled “I Did Not Lie Against the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Falana dismissed the allegations, asserting that it is not a crime for any lawyer to lose a case. “Only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts,” he said.
Falana explained that he had chosen to ignore Wike’s past criticisms out of respect for public discourse but felt compelled to respond following the minister’s recent press briefing.
Clarifying his comments, Falana said he merely pointed out during a Channels TV interview that the Supreme Court had addressed the defection matter suo motu—on its own initiative—while the issue was still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
He maintained that contrary to Wike’s claims, video and affidavit evidence confirmed that the 27 lawmakers had defected to the APC. “It is public knowledge that Mr. Wike celebrated the judgment with a thanksgiving service. Yet, he now attacks me for referencing the same decision,” Falana added.
Citing Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Falana defended his right to comment on judicial rulings. He accused Wike of attempting to mislead the judiciary and challenged him to report any alleged misconduct to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
“Unlike Mr. Wike, who insults judges when decisions don’t favor his political agenda, I critique judicial rulings with respect and in good faith,” Falana said.
The senior advocate also cited legal precedents and statements by late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and former Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad, both of whom welcomed critical legal engagement from members of the bar.
He warned that the Supreme Court’s current position on defections—which now requires party registers as proof—could enable political opportunism and undermine democratic principles. He urged the apex court to uphold its earlier stances in landmark cases like Attorney-General of the Federation v. Abubakar and Dapialong v. Dariye.
Falana concluded by saying Wike’s attempts to incite the judiciary had failed and called for the minister to refrain from presenting himself as an unsolicited defender of the courts.
Edited by Nzubechukwu Eze.
