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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly cautioned against the public’s tendency to act as legal experts and judges without proper qualifications.
Speaking at a media parley on Monday, Wike urged citizens to seek recourse through the courts rather than through public condemnation.
“Why should it be that each time it’s only in this part of the world? You are not a lawyer; by any act that has happened, you become a lawyer. You are not a judge who is given the responsibility for interpretation of the court’s decision or laws,” Wike stated. “You make yourself a judge.”
He challenged those who disagree with court decisions to take legal action. “I thought as people who are civilised, who want the rule of law, who want law to grow, I would tell our party, my party, to challenge this in court.”
To illustrate his point, Wike recalled a past legal battle involving the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and an attempted election. “Just like what we did when RSIEC conducted or tried to conduct elections. We went to court and stated that they had not followed the provisions of the Constitution; therefore, they cannot conduct this election. The court gave the judgment, saying, “Yes, you are right.”
He then criticised the media’s reaction to the initial Federal High Court ruling in favour of his party. “It was in your media houses where they are showing that this judge is corrupt. He took money,” he said, specifically mentioning AIT and Arise News.
He continued, “When the Justice of the Federal High Court gave that judgment, it was all over everywhere that he took bribes.”
Wike noted that the judgment was subsequently set aside by the Court of Appeals, to which the media and others responded by saying, “Now the law has taken place.” However, he concluded by pointing out that the Supreme Court later ruled in their favour, stating that the Federal High Court was correct and the Court of Appeals was wrong, thereby reinforcing his original position on the importance of following due process.
