Falana Fires Back at Wike, Denies Misrepresenting Supreme Court Ruling on Defecting Lawmakers

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Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, has responded to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s criticism, dismissing claims that he misrepresented a Supreme Court judgment on the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike had accused Falana of lying about the court’s decision and mocked him as a “television lawyer” who lost the case.

However, in a statement titled “I Did Not Lie Against the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” Falana clarified that his remarks only highlighted that the apex court had addressed the defection issue *suo motu* (on its own) while the matter was still pending at the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

Falana emphasized that losing a case does not discredit a lawyer, stating, “Only a corrupt lawyer wins all cases in all courts.”

He noted that while he frequently appears before domestic and regional courts, he had previously ignored Wike’s remarks out of respect for public discourse. However, he felt compelled to respond after Wike renewed his attacks during a recent FCT press briefing.

The senior advocate also refuted Wike’s denial of the lawmakers’ defection, citing video and affidavit evidence confirming their move to the APC. “It is public knowledge that Mr. Wike celebrated the Supreme Court judgment with a thanksgiving service. Yet, he attacks me for commenting on the same ruling,” Falana said.

Asserting his constitutional right to critique judicial decisions, Falana referenced Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

He accused Wike of attempting to provoke the judiciary against him and challenged the minister to report him to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee if he believed there was misconduct.

Falana contrasted his respectful critiques of court rulings with Wike’s history of attacking judges over unfavorable decisions.

He also cited past jurists, including the late Justice Oputa and former Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad, who encouraged constructive legal discourse.

Expressing concern, Falana warned that the Supreme Court’s recent stance on defection—requiring party registers as proof—could encourage political instability.

He urged the court to uphold its earlier precedents to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.

Falana concluded by stating that Wike’s attack had failed to provoke the Supreme Court justices and called for an end to the minister’s self-appointed role as the judiciary’s defender.