Popular human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, calling him Nigeria’s only life bencher with no case in any court.
Falana, who spoke in a statement issued on Monday, was reacting to an allegation from Wike that he (Falana) misrepresented a Supreme Court ruling on the defection crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly.
According to Wike, such misinformation from respected legal figures could destabilise the state and cause political unrest.
“A few days ago, the Supreme Court settled this matter of defection. 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,” Wike had said.
In his response, Falana stated, “In a recent media outburst, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, taunted me for losing a case which he won at the Supreme Court.
“He went as far as dubbing me ‘a television lawyer’. However, I did not respond at the time because Mr. Wike is the only Life Bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial or appellate court.”
Falana added, “Contrary to Mr Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court,” he said.
“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.”