Prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN has called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and compel Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike to issue a public apology for using derogatory language against a serving naval officer during a recent confrontation in Abuja.
Legal Year Opening Address
The senior advocate made this strong demand on Thursday, November 13, during his keynote address at the opening ceremony of the Legal Year organized by the Law Students Association of Nigeria at the University of Abuja Faculty of Law. Falana described the widely publicized incident as a clear case of both parties engaging in unlawful behavior.
"On no ground should a Minister insult or abuse a citizen. No Minister has the power to call any Nigerian a fool. Mr. President should compel the Minister to apologise. He was lucky he was not shot," Falana stated emphatically during his presentation.
Both Parties at Fault
While acknowledging that Minister Wike acted within his statutory authority under Section 11 of the Land Use Act during the land dispute, Falana criticized the minister's approach as lacking emotional intelligence and proper decorum. He referenced a similar incident in Ghana where a minister was compelled to apologize for making derogatory remarks against a citizen, emphasizing the importance of humility in public service.
The legal luminary also faulted the naval officer's actions, describing the prevention of the minister from performing his lawful duties as illegal. "The officer violated the law by guarding private property while claiming to act on superior orders. Those orders were unlawful," Falana noted, while commending the officer for showing restraint despite the provocation.
Questioning Prisoner Exchange Plan
During the same event, Falana turned his attention to the Federal Government's reported plan to facilitate former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu's prison term transfer to Nigeria following his conviction in the United Kingdom for organ trafficking. The senior advocate questioned the government's selective concern.
"I will take up this matter. The so-called prisoner exchange programme is questionable because there is no British citizen serving a prison term in Nigeria," Falana declared, pointing out that 232 other Nigerians are currently serving sentences in Britain without similar government intervention.
Advice to Law Students
Addressing the theme "Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice: Building the Next Generation of Advocates," Falana urged law students to embrace technological advancements in the legal profession. He highlighted how courts across West Africa are increasingly adopting virtual hearings and electronic filing systems, emphasizing the need for future lawyers to adapt to these changes.
The human rights lawyer also encouraged the students to actively engage in national issues and champion the causes of justice and good governance in their future careers. His comprehensive address covered multiple aspects of legal practice and public service ethics, providing valuable insights for the next generation of legal professionals.
The event attracted widespread attention from legal practitioners, students, and media representatives, with many participants describing Falana's address as timely and impactful given current national developments.
