Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has lashed out at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for opposing the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu. Wike, who is also the former governor of Rivers State, claimed that the NBA’s stance was motivated by self-interest, particularly financial gain. He accused the association of prioritizing money over the well-being of the country and the judiciary.
Wike’s harsh comments came during a visit by officials of the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), who visited the minister in Abuja on Friday. The NBA had earlier expressed its opposition to the state of emergency in Rivers State, which was declared by the president in response to escalating security concerns and violence in the state. However, Wike believes that the NBA’s objection is rooted in financial considerations, specifically the association’s reliance on funds promised by the Rivers State government to sponsor its annual general conference.
“The NBA is against the state of emergency because there would be no money to give them for their conference. What kind of hypocrisy is this?” Wike fumed, accusing the association of being more concerned with financial support than addressing the broader issues facing Rivers State.
Wike did not hold back in his criticism, pointing out that the NBA’s objections were not based on genuine concerns about the state of emergency but on the financial benefits they would lose. He further accused the NBA of undermining the judicial system in the country by making reckless and unsubstantiated public statements about the judiciary, which he argued hurt public trust in the legal profession.
“They are quick to criticize judges and justices, and they go on national television to condemn judgments without even reading them!” Wike said. “If you don’t discipline somebody, nobody will learn any lesson.”
The minister’s words reflect a growing frustration with the NBA, especially over its public stance on judicial matters. Wike, who is also a lawyer by training, warned that if the NBA’s actions were left unchecked, they could further erode confidence in the country’s legal system.
“We shall no longer allow our profession to be pulled down. I cannot believe, as a lawyer, that you make a contribution to help the legal profession, and you will be criticized by your fellow lawyers,” Wike said.
The former governor of Rivers State emphasized that the NBA’s continued attacks on the judiciary, especially the media condemnation of court judgments, were damaging not only to the reputation of judges but also to the rule of law. Wike called on the Body of Benchers to take swift action to discipline members of the NBA who were engaged in such behavior.
“Time has come that we need to say look, enough is enough. We cannot continue to discourage our judges and justices. It is not done anywhere,” he added. “I have never seen where members of a profession are the ones bent on bringing the profession down.”
Beyond its public criticism of the judiciary, Wike also pointed out what he sees as the NBA’s double standards. He accused the association of accepting financial contributions from government agencies in the past without labeling them as bribes, but now condemning similar financial support when it comes to the judiciary.
“I was the only one who contributed to the NBA to build the National Secretariat. The NBA didn’t see it as a bribe,” Wike said. “When you contribute to the Body of Benchers, it is a bribe, but when you contribute to the NBA, it is not a bribe—they will take it!”
Wike’s comments were an attempt to highlight the hypocrisy he sees in the NBA’s actions. He also expressed frustration at the NBA’s reliance on state governments for sponsorship of its events while simultaneously condemning any form of financial support to the judiciary as corrupt or unethical.
“The same NBA will rely on state governments to sponsor their activities, but when the state government supports the judiciary, it is bribery,” he remarked, criticizing the inconsistency in the NBA’s stance on government funding.
The issue of judicial integrity and corruption has been a persistent topic of debate in Nigeria, and Wike’s comments reflect the growing concerns over the influence of external factors on the judiciary. One of the points Wike raised during his interaction with the Body of Benchers was how constant attacks from lawyers and the public had put undue pressure on judges, making them hesitant to engage in any public activities for fear of being accused of bribery.
“It has gotten to the stage that our judges are so scared of going to a mosque or church, or even greeting somebody they know, because of fear of bribery,” Wike said. “They run away from shaking people’s hands because they will start accusing them of collecting bribes. This must stop.”
The minister’s frustration highlights the toxic atmosphere in which judges are forced to operate, with public accusations of corruption often undermining their credibility and ability to perform their duties without fear of backlash. Wike called for a more measured approach to handling allegations of judicial misconduct, arguing that such matters should be addressed in a professional and systematic way rather than through public shaming or unfounded accusations.
As the debate over the NBA’s role in shaping the legal and judicial landscape continues, Wike’s remarks serve as a reminder of the deep divisions within Nigeria’s legal community. His call for accountability within the NBA and greater respect for judicial independence has struck a chord with many who believe that the legal profession in Nigeria needs reform to preserve the rule of law.
This latest exchange between Wike and the NBA comes amid a period of heightened political tension in Nigeria, particularly with the recent security crisis in Rivers State. The state of emergency declared by President Tinubu has sparked widespread debate, with some seeing it as a necessary step to address the rising violence in the region, while others view it as an overreach of executive power.
The controversy surrounding the NBA’s opposition to the state of emergency and the accusations of hypocrisy and bias within the legal community show how deeply intertwined politics and law have become in Nigeria. With further debates and discussions expected, the future of the Nigerian Bar Association and the integrity of the country’s judiciary hang in the balance.
