Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has tasked President Bola Tinubu to compel the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to apologise for using uncomplimentary comments against a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima, over a disputed piece of land in Abuja.

While saying that the Minister was lucky not to have been shot during his confrontation with the soldier, the senior lawyer, however, stressed that both parties erred in law.

This is even as he faulted the Federal Government?s move to have former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, serve the remainder of his prison sentence in Nigeria.

Falana spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja. The event was organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter.

Speaking on the face-off between the FCT Minister and his altercation with a military officer on a property belonging to an ex-Chief of Naval Staff, the learned silk faulted both parties for taking the law into their hands. He stated that although Wike was carrying out his statutory responsibilities as enshrined in Section 11 of the Land Use Act, his failure to exercise emotional intelligence and his use of derogatory language toward the military officer gave him away.

He cited a case in Ghana where a minister had to apologise for making uncomplimentary remarks about a taxi driver, emphasising the importance of dignity and respect.

?On no ground should a Minister force himself and abuse the military officer. 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.

?The military officer contravened the law by preventing the Minister from doing his legal duty. The officer engaged in illegal duty to guide the land of a private person. So, when he said he was acting on superior orders, those orders are illegal. But the Minister went off track. Even the President can?t call any Nigerian a fool,? Falana said.

He said Nigerians are impressed that even in the heat of provocation, the officer did not lose his patience.

The human rights lawyer also faulted the Nigerian Government?s move to have former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, serve the remainder of his prison sentence in Nigeria.

He questioned the rationale behind the decision, wondering why the government failed to intervene in the cases of the other 232 Nigerians serving in British prisons.

Promising to take up the issue, the legal practitioner also questioned the prisoner exchange programme, arguing that there is no British citizen currently serving in a Nigerian jail.

Speaking on the theme, ?Litigation as a bloodline of justice: Building the next generation of advocates?, he urged the law students to leverage technology, expressing satisfaction that courts across West Africa are increasingly adopting virtual hearings and electronic filing of court processes.

He also tasked them to take more than a passing interest in the affairs of the country.

The event also witnessed the conferment of Senior Advocate of the Masses on the renowned human rights lawyer, which he dedicated to indigent Nigerians.

Also speaking, the Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, commended the organisers for creating a platform that bridges the gap between legal theory and practice.

Prof. Abugu noted that the forum provides an opportunity for aspiring lawyers to interact with seasoned practitioners, thereby enhancing their understanding of the dynamics of legal advocacy in contemporary society.

He urged the students to imbibe discipline, integrity, and continuous learning, stressing that the future of the legal profession depends on their commitment to upholding justice and ethical standards, a sentiment shared by the Senior Special Assistant to the President for National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives), Ibrahim Olanrewaju.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the President, Law Students? Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Abiola Akingbolu, stated that the association remains committed to promoting intellectual growth and professional development among law students through initiatives that expose them to real-world legal experiences.

Akingbolu also emphasised the importance of mentorship in grooming the next generation of advocates, calling on legal practitioners and institutions to support capacity-building programmes that prepare students for the challenges of the profession. (The Guardian)

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