Human rights lawyer and public commentator, Chidi Odinkalu, has sharply criticized Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, following the inauguration of the IBB Golf and Country Club Board of Trustees on Friday in Lifecamp, Abuja.
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The event, which saw the appointment of Hon. Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, as a member of the board, triggered Odinkalu’s outrage over what he described as an inappropriate mingling of the judiciary and the executive.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Odinkalu, posting as @ChidiOdinkalu, wrote: “Let FCT Minister, @GovWike, go barking as often as he likes asking whomsoever he likes to fry my ass in hell. As long as he continues to snuggle up to Judges gratuitously, I will be in his lawn. The woman to his right is the President of @CourtOfAppealNG. What are they doing…?”
His comment questioned the propriety of Justice Dongban-Mensem’s inclusion on the board, suggesting it compromises judicial independence.
The inauguration ceremony, held on the serene grounds of the IBB Golf and Country Club, attracted dignitaries from Abuja’s political, legal, and social circles. In his address, Wike hailed the club as a cornerstone of the FCT’s recreational landscape, emphasizing its role in promoting unity and healthy living.
“The IBB Golf Club is more than just a sporting facility—it is a symbol of excellence, discipline, and unity. I am confident that this new Board of Trustees will preserve the club’s legacy and steer it toward greater heights,” Wike said.
However, Odinkalu’s sharp critique cast a shadow over the event, reigniting debates about the separation of powers in Nigeria. His pointed reference to Wike “snuggling up to Judges” echoes longstanding concerns about the FCT Minister’s interactions with the judiciary, particularly given his influential political stature.
The inclusion of the President of the Court of Appeal—a senior judicial officer—on the board of a recreational facility under the minister’s purview has raised fresh questions. Odinkalu and others argue it blurs the critical lines between executive influence and judicial autonomy, potentially undermining public trust in the judiciary’s independence.
Meanwhile, Odinkalu also took a swipe at Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma over the controversial appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge, noting a pattern of favoring fourth-place candidates in the state.
In the post on X, Odinkalu remarked: “Imo State and 4th position are like the proverbial 5&6. In 2020, @SupremeCourtNg installed as Governor in the state the man who came 4th in #NigeriaDecides2019. This week, the same man installed as State Ag. CJ the judge who’s 4th in seniority!”
The jab references Uzodimma’s own rise to power via a Supreme Court ruling despite placing fourth in the 2019 gubernatorial election.
Odinkalu’s reaction comes amid growing outrage from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Owerri Branch and a clarification from the National Judicial Council (NJC) over the appointment. The NBA Owerri, in a statement by Chairman Chief Chris U. Ihentuge and Secretary Daniel O. Odiba, condemned the move, arguing that Justice Nzeukwu—fourth in seniority among Imo State High Court judges—does not meet the constitutional requirement under Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This section mandates that the most senior judge be appointed Acting Chief Judge when the office is vacant.
The NBA accused Uzodimma of bypassing three more senior judges without justification, calling it a breach of due process that undermines judicial integrity. “If there exists any impediment preventing the senior judges from assuming the role, such an impediment… should disqualify them from sitting as judicial officers at all,” the association stated.
The NBA demanded an immediate reversal, threatening to escalate the matter to bodies such as the NJC, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), and the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) if the issue remains unaddressed.
Adding to the controversy, the NJC, in a press release by Deputy Director (Information) Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, distanced itself from the appointment. The Council disclosed that Uzodimma had written to request approval for Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment, citing reasons why the three senior judges were unsuitable. However, the NJC emphasized that the request remains pending, with no approval granted. “The Council is not a party to the process of the purported appointment,” the statement clarified, noting that the issue will be deliberated at its next meeting scheduled for April 29–30, 2025.
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