*Says Both Violated The Law
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Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has called on President Bola Tinubu to compel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to apologise for using derogatory remarks against a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima, during a heated confrontation over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
Falana made the call on Thursday at the opening ceremony of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter. He described the altercation as a case where both Wike and the officer took the law into their own hands.
“On no ground should a Minister insult or abuse a citizen. No Minister has the power to call any Nigerian a fool. Mr. President should compel the Minister to apologise. He was lucky he was not shot,” Falana said, stressing that Wike was fortunate to have escaped serious consequences during the exchange.
While noting that Wike acted within his powers under Section 11 of the Land Use Act, Falana faulted his approach, saying it lacked emotional intelligence and decorum. He recalled a similar incident in Ghana where a minister was forced to apologise for derogatory remarks against a citizen, insisting that humility remains a vital quality in public service.
Falana also condemned the naval officer’s conduct, stating that he had no legal basis to prevent the Minister from performing his official duties.
“The officer violated the law by guarding private property while claiming to act on superior orders. Those orders were unlawful. But the Minister also went off track. Even the President cannot call any Nigerian a fool,” he said, however commending the officer for maintaining restraint despite provocation.
The Senior Advocate further criticised the Federal Government’s reported plan to allow former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu serve the remainder of his UK prison sentence in Nigeria following his conviction for organ trafficking. He questioned why the government showed special concern for Ekweremadu while neglecting the 232 other Nigerians currently imprisoned in the United Kingdom.
“I will take up this matter. The so-called prisoner exchange programme is questionable because there is no British citizen serving a prison term in Nigeria,” Falana said.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice: Building the Next Generation of Advocates,” Falana urged law students to embrace technology as courts across West Africa move toward virtual hearings and e-filing systems. He also encouraged them to participate in national discourse and champion justice and good governance.
The event also featured the conferment of the title “Senior Advocate of the Masses” on Falana, which he dedicated to indigent Nigerians.
In his remarks, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Dean of the Faculty of Law, commended LAWSAN for fostering a link between legal theory and practice, helping students engage with experienced practitioners and real-world legal issues. He stressed discipline, integrity, and ethics as essential for building a credible legal profession.
Earlier, Abiola Akingbolu, President of LAWSAN, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to promoting intellectual growth and professionalism through mentorship and practical exposure.
“Mentorship remains key to grooming the next generation of advocates,” Akingbolu said, urging senior lawyers and institutions to support student-led initiatives that build capacity and inspire excellence.
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