*”Throws Jab At Rivers Chief Judge, Says His Hands Are Tied In Impeachment Proceedings
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, praised the legal team of Rivers State Speaker Hon. Martins Amaewhule for their commitment while taking a swipe at what he termed “Channels Television lawyers.” He said this at a press conference following the Supreme Court’s recent ruling on the political crisis in Rivers State.
He commended the legal team for their dedication to the case, emphasizing that they were “not money committed” but “committed to the job.” Wike’s comments seemed directed at some lawyers who, according to him, prioritize media appearances over their professional duties, describing them as “television lawyers” who rush to provide analysis after court proceedings. He concluded by stating that the Supreme Court had “silenced” these lawyers, making it clear that legal discourse should take place in court, not on television.
The former Rivers State governor also reflected on the potential consequences of the Supreme Court’s ruling for Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He suggested that Fubara’s actions, specifically spending state funds without legislative approval, constituted an impeachable offense.
However, despite this assertion, Wike cautioned against impeachment proceedings, advising the state assembly not to pursue this course of action. He also touched on the limitations of the Chief Judge’s role in such proceedings, suggesting that even if the Chief Judge had personal affiliations with the governor, there would be little they could do in the face of such serious constitutional violations.
“Even if you bring your son or your daughter as Chief Judge, they cannot do anything,” Wike remarked, highlighting the legal implications of the situation and the inevitable consequences of such misconduct.
Wike’s remarks didn’t stop there; he also challenged prominent human rights lawyer Femi Falana to appear on television and discuss the Supreme Court’s judgment. In a direct appeal, he urged Falana to appear on Channels Television to “pontificate” on the matter, emphasizing that the ruling was not his personal opinion but the decision of the highest court in the land. The challenge was made in the context of Wike’s broader call for legal experts to weigh in on the implications of the Supreme Court’s decision for governance in Rivers State.
The Supreme Court had ruled that the Rivers State government had been operating without a valid budget due to the lack of a properly constituted assembly, a development that Wike framed as a “victory for democracy” and the “rule of law.”
The minister’s comments paint a picture of a deeply divided political environment in the state, but his tone remained firm in support of the judicial process and its importance in restoring order and stability.
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