Nigeria’s legal fraternity has erupted in condemnation of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, branding his explosive tirade against a uniformed army officer as a “disgraceful” and “unprofessional” violation of the very ethics he swore to uphold. As a Life Bencher, the pinnacle of legal distinction in the country, Wike’s descent into name-calling and threats during a heated land dispute has drawn scathing rebukes from senior advocates, who warn that his behavior not only mocks the rule of law but risks irreparably damaging public faith in the judiciary and executive.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
“This is both embarrassing and unprofessional in an infamous manner,” said a prominent Life Bencher in a blistering statement circulated among legal circles today. “Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, as a lawyer, must note that he is under both professional and public duties to be civil and not to engage in public altercations that bring the high office of a minister and as a lawyer to public ridicule and obloquy. Calling a soldier a ‘fool’ and belittling his education is unacceptable. Soldiers deserve respect for their service and sacrifices. Such derogatory language is hurtful, unproductive, and a betrayal of the Rules of Professional Conduct that demand the highest standards of integrity.”
Echoing this outrage, another senior lawyer, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid reprisals, slammed Wike’s outburst as a “reckless display of insanity.” “Wike is wrong, with all sincerity. The officer acted maturely and civilly throughout the engagement. How dare you insult an officer? This behavior must stop now. He is behaving like a tout in the streets of Port Harcourt, not a minister in Abuja. Public servants are expected to maintain professionalism, even in difficult situations. Abusive language only damages reputations and erodes trust.”
Chidi Odinkalu, CGOF, a revered legal scholar and former National Human Rights Commission chair, criticized Wike on X, where his post has already amassed over 50,000 engagements: “When a #LifeBencher relies too much on alcohol, you can end up with one of those ones they call #HorribleMinister. I hope the #CInC is very happy with his favorite Minister.” Odinkalu’s quip has fueled a viral backlash, with users amplifying calls for Wike’s accountability.
Even voices from the military-legal crossover have joined the fray. A retired army officer who is also a practicing lawyer asserted: ‘Even the President has no right to tell the officer to act contrary to the order given to him by his superior. Wike is the one embarrassing himself. The officer is acting based on orders from his superior, and for that composure, he deserves a National Honour,’ adding that Wike should have used the legal process for enforcement, as the FCTA has a legal department.
The chorus of criticism paints Wike as a man unfit for his dual roles of power and profession. “Decorum thrown to the garbage can,” one lawyer lamented on social media. “He is behaving like a tout because he is trying to raise money for FCT and the re-election of his principal.” For a figure expected to “embody the highest standards of integrity,” Wike’s actions raging, “Shut up, keep quiet, you are a fool. As at the time I graduated, you were still in primary school” have instead exposed a glaring deficit in grace under pressure.
The controversy ignited Tuesday in Abuja’s Gaduwa district, where Wike and FCT Administration officials descended on a disputed plot allegedly tied to former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo. Armed soldiers stationed to guard ongoing construction politely barred entry, citing superior directives. What followed was a viral video of Wike’s unhinged fury: demands for documents that weren’t produced, accusations of intimidation, and threats like, “If not for the CDS who spoke to me now, you would have to kill everybody here. I’m not one of those that you can intimidate.”
Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, later claimed on Facebook that the troops were “armed military security details” sent to “attack” FCTA enforcers and shield “illegal development.” But eyewitnesses and the footage tell a different story: a composed officer repeating, “We are acting on orders,” as Wike’s entourage escalated the tension. “You have no document,” Wike barked. “You could have killed everybody here. No problem.”
This is not Wike’s first brush with controversy, but it strikes at his core identity as a barrister. His ongoing crackdown on Abuja’s land irregularities, including a fresh 14-day ultimatum with N5 million fines, is noble in intent, yet his execution reeks of the bombast that defined his Rivers State governorship. “I wish someone will teach Wike and his likes some sense,” one X user said. “Imagine a so-called minister insulting an officer in uniform. Wike is reckless and insane.”
A few Wike sympathizers have surfaced, but their defenses ring hollow amid the uproar. One lawyer said: “I’ve never been a fan of Minister Wike, but these accolades given to the soldier are undeserving. What business does a soldier have defending a piece of land when we have terrorists ravaging our forests?” Another urged pragmatism: “The land belongs to FCTA; if it belongs to the ex-chief, he should bring his documents. We should stop supporting illegality because we don’t like Wike’s style.”
Yet these voices are in the minority. The Nigerian Bar Association has been flooded with calls for an ethics probe, with insiders hinting at potential sanctions for breaching professional conduct rules. As the video loops online, the officer’s steadfast poise stands in stark contrast to Wike’s meltdown, highlighting the minister’s loss of composure. In a nation grappling with elite impunity, this clash is a referendum on whether a Life Bencher can lead without losing his dignity.
The Nigerian Army and Navy remain silent, but the legal world’s verdict is clear: Wike’s conduct is a stain that no amount of political maneuvering can wash away. The officer of Gaduwa stands tall while Wike reels from the backlash of his own making.
The publishing firm has produced an impressive catalogue of authoritative legal texts authored by its proprietor, Basil Momodu, Esq.,
For inquiries, contact:
📧 momodulawpublishing@yahoo.com
📞 07051822705
______________________________________________________________________
“Your Must-Have Legal Classic” — 225-Page Hardback Offering The Definitive Guide To Electoral Security In Nigeria And The U.S.
Edited by Dr. Akin Olawale Oluwadayisi, Ph.D; ACIArb, FIPDM, Notary Public, Awi Boluwaji, and Olumide Awoyemi, LL.M, Price: ₦20,000 or $20 per copy
Order Your Copy Now:📧 Email: benakollegalclassics@gmail.com,📱 WhatsApp: 07038211889, 📞 Voice Call: 07065830466 | +2347038211889
______________________________________________________________________
“Timely And Groundbreaking” — Babalola, Nnawuchi Release Casebook On Privacy & Data Protection In Nigeria
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com
______________________________________________________________________
The books are available for purchase at:
Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com
Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532
Email: educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
