, Nyesom Wike, has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for opposing state of emergency in Rivers State.){kind=link}
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for opposing state of emergency in Rivers State.
He argued that the NBA’s stance was influenced by its relationship with the Rivers State Government, which had pledged to sponsor its annual general conference.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday while receiving a delegation from the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Wike accused the NBA of hypocrisy.
He claimed that the association resisted the declaration of a state of emergency because it would prevent them from receiving financial support from the Rivers Government.
Expressing his displeasure, Wike urged the Body of Benchers to call the NBA to order, accusing its members of making baseless criticisms of judicial decisions.
He lamented that some lawyers publicly condemned court rulings without even reading them, thereby undermining the judiciary without facing any disciplinary action.
Wike emphasized the need to protect the integrity of the legal profession, warning that continued internal attacks would weaken the judiciary.
He recalled his financial contribution to the NBA’s National Secretariat project, noting that the association did not consider such support as a bribe at the time.
However, he questioned why any assistance to the judiciary was now being labeled as bribery.
The minister also expressed concern over the increasing public scrutiny of judges, stating that they now avoid social gatherings, religious places, and even casual greetings due to fears of bribery allegations.
He called for an end to what he described as unjustified intimidation of judicial officers.