Constitutional Lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has described Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, as the only life bencher in Nigeria who has never handled a case in any trial or appellate court.

Falana, who stated this while responding to the media chat by Wike during which he taunted the constitutional lawyer as “a television lawyer” for losing a case at the Supreme Court, said that only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in court.

Falana specifically said that it is not a crime if a lawyer loses a case in any court.

Falana said; “A couple of days ago, Wike subjected me to another scurrilous attack in a press conference held in Abuja to showcase the Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory.

 

“In the course of the press conference, he veered off and was alleged to have accused me of lying about the defection status of certain legislators during an appearance on Channels TV.

“While referring to a recent Supreme Court ruling that addressed the issue of defection, Wike then said, if someone of Femi Falana’s calibre can go on national television and lie, it is very serious. Lies can cause a lot of crises.

“Specifically, Wike accused me of lying against the Supreme Court over its decision on the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

“Contrary to Wike’s assertion, 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.

“My comment was based on the undeniable fact that the vexed issue of the defection of the 27 legislators was pending in the Port Harcourt judicial division of the Federal High Court at the material time.

“In addition, there are video tapes and a sworn affidavit where the 27 legislators had confirmed their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressive Congress.

“It is public knowledge that Wike had praised the Supreme Court to high heavens and held a thanksgiving service to celebrate the decision on the defection of the 27 legislators. However, he decided to attack me for commenting on the same judgment without any legal justification,” he noted.

Falana therefore said that his fundamental right to criticise the decisions of courts is guaranteed by Section 39 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights.

He said that he would have ignored Wike’s latest attack but for the fact that he had recently called on the Body of Benchers to discipline lawyers who had the temerity to criticise the judgments of Nigerian courts.

In the words of Falana; “Unlike 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 the utmost decorum and in good faith.

“While Wike believes that it is a professional anomaly to criticise the decisions of Judges, the Supreme Court of Nigeria has always welcomed the criticism and review of its judgments because the justices believe that they are prone to make mistakes like all mortals.

“It is undoubtedly clear that Wike is not familiar with the case of Adegoke Motors Limited v Dr Babatunde Adesanya 2 1989 3 NWLR (Pt 109) 250 at 274, where Oputa JSC of blessed memory said, “We are final not because we are infallible; rather we are infallible because we are final.”

“About five years ago, the then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, said to lawyers, “As critical stakeholders in the task of justice delivery, you have the responsibility of drawing our attention to where things are going wrong or on the verge of going wrong.”  Justice Muhammad further stated that it would not be out of place for lawyers to subject justices in the country to criticism where necessary as a step to ensuring improvement in the justice delivery system.

“From time to time, many respected justices commend my criticism of the judgments of courts and the defence of the judiciary. It is on record that at a recent valedictory service held in Abuja, a retiring justice of the Supreme Court referred to one of my critical comments pertaining to the Nigerian Judiciary.

“In the light of the foregoing, Wike deliberately set out to incite the Supreme Court against me as the allegation levelled against me by him is spurious and tendentious in every material particular.

“Since Wike has become the unsolicited defender of the judiciary, I challenge him to report me to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for professional misconduct.

“No doubt, the decision of the Supreme Court is final on defection of legislators from the political party that sponsored them to another political party. In their wisdom, their lordships said that defection can only be proved with the production of the register of members of political parties. 

“My fear is that this decision will be waived by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution in Nigeria. In the interest of political stability and national morality, I have respectively called on the Supreme Court to continue to rely on the cases of the Attorney-General of the Federation 𝐯. Abubakar (2007) 10 NWLR (PT.1041) 1 at 178, Dapialong v Dariye (2007) 8 NWLR (Pt 1036) 332 and Abegunde 𝐯. Ondo State House of Assembly & Ors (2015) LPELR-24588(SC), where it had been held that the consequence of a defection by a legislator is the automatic loss of his or her seat in the legislative house,” Falana counselled.

By Mike Odiakose, Abuja 

The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has inaugurated the new executive committee of the APC France Chapter  in Paris, calling on all diaspora members to rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reforms and Renewed Hope Agenda.

The event took place in Paris at the weekend, where prominent APC members in Diaspora gathered.

 

Speaking at the event, Dr. Ganduje emphasized the importance of unity among party members in the diaspora, stressing their role in supporting the administration’s economic transformation efforts. 

Ganduje acknowledged that while the reforms under President Tinubu may be seen as painful, he added that “they are necessary steps to reposition Nigeria’s economy for sustainable growth.

” 

In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Monday in Abuja, the APC Chairman praised the efforts of the diaspora in expanding the party’s base abroad through active recruitment of members and mobilization.

He further assured the gathering that the party is committed to working with the National Assembly to realize the long-sought goal of diaspora voting, enabling full political inclusion for Nigerians living abroad.

“We appreciate you for holding the banner of our party, expanding its membership, and supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, especially in light of the critical reforms he is undertaking. 

“There is now more funding for capital development, and both governors and local government chairmen can attest to this,” Ganduje stated.

He also referenced recent party meetings, including those of the National Caucus and the National Executive Committee (NEC), which affirmed overwhelming support for the President’s performance.

“At the end of the NEC meeting, a vote of confidence was passed on President Tinubu because of the progress his administration is making. He is a reformer and has introduced significant changes, especially in the economic sector.”

Dr. Ganduje expressed optimism about the APC’s prospects heading into the 2027 elections, pointing to increasing internal stability and the defection of key figures from other political parties.

“There is peace in the APC, unlike in other parties that are battling internal crises. Because of this enabling environment, many are decamping to our party, including Senators, members of the House of Representatives, State Assemblies members, and other notable political figures. Our party respects its constitution and practices internal democracy.”

In her response, the newly inaugurated Chairlady of the APC France Chapter, Hajjiya Amina Musa Baba Suzuki, reiterated the critical role of Nigerians in the diaspora in national development—not just as economic contributors, but also as political stakeholders.

“The Nigerian diaspora contributes billions in remittances and investments, but we are also thought leaders and proud ambassadors of Nigeria’s democracy,” she said.

She advocated for stronger support for diaspora chapters, emphasizing their role as mobilizers and promoters of Nigeria’s interests abroad.

“We serve as vital links between our people and democratic processes at home. Our chapter and others like it act as soft-power diplomats, advocates, and connectors.”

The Chairlady concluded with a passionate appeal to Dr. Ganduje and the APC leadership to champion the cause of diaspora voting.

“Under your visionary leadership, we believe diaspora voting can become a reality. It is not only possible—it is necessary. We respectfully urge you to make this dream come true during the life of this administration. After all, where there is a will, there is always a way.”

Those who attended the inauguration include the wife of the APC National Chairman Professor Hafsat Ganduje, APC National Women Leader, Dr Mrs Mary Alile, Chairman of all APC chairmen in Europe,  Honourable Tunde Doherty,  HRM Oba Aderounmu

Bamidele Sadiq, OBA Yoruba in France.

Ilufemiloye 1 of France. among others.

The All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kano State says the speculated impending defection of Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso to the party is a welcome development.The Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abdullahi Abbas, stated this while addressing a press briefing in Kano on Friday.“APC as a political Institution in its Renewed Hope Agenda has embarked on the project of receiving decampees from all political parties.

“Of recent, the attention of the party has been drawn to speculations of the impending decamping of the leader of the expelled faction of the NNPP, Sen. Kwankwaso, into the party.“This is a welcome development, especially given the fact that the APC remains his last political refuge as he has successfully destroyed his relations with all other political groupings in the country.“Without prejudice to our desire as a party to welcome new entrants and in respect of the constitutional rights of citizens to belong to political parties of their choice.“We wish to state our position as a state chapter of our great party in Kano state,”Abbas said.He said the party had already directed its ward chapters to open registers for new decampees irrespective of their political and social statures is in line with the party’s constitution.“We advise all those desirous of joining our esteemed party to go to their respective wards and register.$Also, we want to assure our elected party officials from the ward, local government, senatorial and state levels that they will continue to function as provided by the tenure of their office in the party constitution.“For the purpose of seeking any future party or elective position, any old or new entrants, shall be free to exercise his/her constitutional rights of voting or being voted for without any special preference,” the chairman said.He, however,said that the party was fully aware that some people were desperate to join the APC.Abbas said, “This is because they have scuttled their political goodwill and have become political lepers in the national scheme of things and are looking to the APC for political relevance.”“For the avoidance of doubt, let me emphasise that the APC as a political party does not and will not encourage or promote the existence of cult-like associations in the name of political activities or groupings.“We unequivocally call on all those prospective decampees who have earlier made derogatory statements against our leaders, President Bola Tinubu and his Vice, Sen.Kashim Shettima to offer a public apology.”“This should be done as a sign of remorse, and respect for future relationships,” he added.( NAN)