‘Protect Nigerian Courts From Wike’s Manipulation, Grip’ – Inibehe Effiong Tells Lawyers, Judges

Popular Nigerian human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has raised concerns over the move by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, to construct 40 judges’ quarters in the Katampe District in Abuja

Reacting to the development, which has generated mixed reactions among Nigerians, Effiong, in a post via his X handle, urged lawyers and judges in the country to find a way to insulate courts from Wike’s perceived manipulation and grip.

Naija News reports that Effiong made this call on Thursday while reacting to human rights lawyer, Femi Falana’s view that it is wrong for Wike to give judges houses and cars.

“This is supposed to be elementary. Lawyers and judges in Nigeria should find a way to insulate our courts from Wike’s manipulation and grip,” Effiong wrote on X.

Meanwhile, in his response to questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Falana argued that it was wrong for Wike to give gifts to the members of the judiciary, especially judges.

“There are no provisions in the law for a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to gift Federal judges who he has cases in front of, houses and cars, it goes against the financial independence of the judiciary which is enshrined in our constitution.

If the government wishes to give houses and cars to judges, they can write the National Assembly to make provisions for it and send the funds to the National Judicial Council who are empowered to appropriate the funds as required,” Falana said on the live programme earlier on Wednesday.