Nyesom Wike is Nigeria’s only ‘Life Bencher’ without courtroom appearance record—Femi Falana Tongue Lashes Wike

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has responded to recent criticisms from 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.”

Falana’s remarks were in reaction to Wike’s media tirade, in which the minister 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 further derided Falana as “a television lawyer” and suggested he had lost the case in question.

In a statement titled “I Did Not Lie Against the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Falana dismissed Wike’s claims, saying “It is no crime for a lawyer to lose a case in court. Only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts.”

The senior advocate explained that although he frequently appears before courts across Africa, he had previously refrained from engaging Wike out of respect for public discourse.

However, following Wike’s latest comments at an FCT press briefing, Falana said he felt obliged to reply.

According to him, Wike had misrepresented his comments on the Supreme Court’s stance.

Falana clarified that he merely noted the apex court had addressed the defection issue suo motu—on its own accord—while a related case was still pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

He also emphasized that contrary to Wike’s assertions, “there is video and affidavit evidence 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,” he added.

Falana invoked his right to critique judicial decisions, citing both Section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He accused Wike of trying to “incite the judiciary against him with baseless allegations,” and challenged the minister to file a complaint with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if he believed there was 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,” he said.

He drew attention to the views of respected jurists like the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa and former Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad, who, according to him, supported critical engagement from legal practitioners.

Falana also raised concerns over the Supreme Court’s current position on defection, which now requires producing a political party’s register.

He warned this could encourage “unpatriotic politicians” and institutionalize “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 said.

He concluded by stating that Wike’s attacks had failed in their “desperate bid to incite the Justices of the Supreme Court” and called for an end to the minister’s attempts to position himself as the judiciary’s unsolicited spokesperson.