Human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu has fiercely criticized the attendance of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Court of Appeal President Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem at the inauguration of the IBB Golf and Country Club Board of Trustees in Abuja on Friday, April 4, 2025.
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Odinkalu’s remarks, posted on X as @ChidiOdinkalu, echo concerns raised by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joe-Kyari Gadzama in a letter to Wike, highlighting potential judicial impropriety amid ongoing legal disputes involving the club.
Odinkalu pulled no punches, stating: “The @NigBarAssoc under @afamosigwe has a duty to address the brazen accessorization of judicial officers by @GovWike, and @njcNig is failing manifestly in its duty to address the impunity of judges who violate clear provisions of the Judicial Code of Conduct of 2016.” His reaction followed Gadzama’s assertion on X: “The presence of FCT Minister @GovWike and @CourtOfAppealNG President Monica Dongban-Mensem at that event in IBB Golf Club in Abuja yesterday was judicial malpractice and influence peddling. Wike knew he was not supposed to be there. There are cases in court. They chose to defy.”
The event saw Wike inaugurate the club’s new board, with Justice Dongban-Mensem named a member, a move Odinkalu argue compromises judicial neutrality given pending litigation.
Wike praised the club as a symbol of “excellence, discipline, and unity,” urging the board to elevate its legacy. However, the presence of a senior judicial figure alongside the minister has sparked accusations of “snuggling up to judges,” as Odinkalu previously termed it in a related critique.
Gadzama, a former club captain and Life Bencher, detailed the context in a letter to Wike dated April 2, 2025. He outlined a leadership crisis at the club, noting two ongoing court cases: Dr. Chukwuma Katchi v. Incorporated Trustees of the IBB International Golf and Country Club & 2 Ors (FCT/HC/CV/242/2025) and Incorporated Trustees of IBB International Golf and Country Club v. Corporate Affairs Commission & 3 Ors (FHC/ABJ/CS/483/2025). The latter, challenging the registration of the club’s amended constitution, was adjourned to April 4, 2025—the very day of the inauguration. Gadzama, a party in the Federal High Court case, urged Wike to intervene for an amicable resolution or let the courts decide, warning against actions that could prejudice the sub judice matters.
The SAN explained that his firm, J-K Gadzama LLP, had facilitated the constitution’s amendment in 2024, a process approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on December 17, 2024, despite a petition from Retired General IBM Haruna. The new constitution, setting a 75-year age limit for trustees, effectively dissolved the previous board, making the timing of the new board’s inauguration contentious.
Odinkalu’s critique amplifies Gadzama’s concerns, accusing the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and National Judicial Council (NJC) of inaction. He argues that Justice Dongban-Mensem’s participation violates the 2016 Judicial Code of Conduct, which prohibits judges from engaging in activities that could suggest bias or influence. With cases pending, the optics of her alongside Wike—a political heavyweight—fuel perceptions of “influence peddling,” .
Letter to the FCT Minister- IBB TheNigerialawyerLetter from Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Regarding Leadership Crisis at IBB Golf and Country Club
Abuja, April 2, 2025 – In a letter addressed to His Excellency, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joe-Kyari Gadzama has brought attention to a leadership crisis currently affecting the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja. The letter highlights ongoing legal disputes surrounding the club’s governance, and Gadzama’s call for a resolution outside the courtroom.
Gadzama, a former club captain and legal representative of the club, expressed appreciation for the work Minister Wike has done for the FCT. However, his letter outlined the club’s current issues, including disputes over the amended constitution and the club’s board of trustees, with two active court cases pending. The primary concerns raised include the legality of the constitution amendment, and a petition filed by retired General IBM Haruna challenging the changes, which the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) had approved.
As detailed in the letter, Gadzama’s law firm, J-K Gadzama LLP, had been tasked with the registration of the club’s amended constitution. The amendment, which included a provision limiting trustees to a 75-year age cap, was published in national newspapers and subsequently approved by the CAC in December 2024. However, Gadzama revealed that a petition against the registration had been lodged, resulting in delays and legal action.
The letter also sheds light on the leadership challenges faced by the club, including its failure to constitute a board of trustees as per the amended constitution. Gadzama calls for a collaborative effort to resolve the crisis amicably, urging Minister Wike’s intervention as the father of the FCT. He advocates for a peaceful resolution outside of further litigation, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the club’s constitution to ensure long-term stability.
Additionally, Gadzama notes that despite the ongoing disputes, the club’s ownership title and ground rent payments have been properly maintained since 2011, when the club was handed over to its members by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
The letter concludes with a call for the judiciary to resolve the matter if an amicable solution cannot be reached, emphasizing the importance of rule of law and constitutional adherence in resolving the crisis.
Key Points from the Letter:
- Leadership Crisis: Ongoing disputes over the amended constitution and board of trustees at the IBB International Golf and Country Club.
- Legal Action: Two court cases challenging the club’s governance and the constitution’s registration.
- Request for Intervention: Gadzama calls for Minister Wike’s intervention to help resolve the crisis without further litigation.
- Adherence to the Constitution: A strong plea for the club’s amended constitution to guide its operations.
- Ongoing Efforts: Acknowledgment of the club captain’s leadership in promoting rule of law and transparency during this crisis.
Gadzama’s appeal aims to prevent further escalation and ensure that the club’s governance issues are resolved in accordance with legal and constitutional principles.
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