…Says Both Men Acted Outside the Law in Abuja Land Dispute
Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the recent altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a serving naval officer, A. M. Yerima. Falana insisted that the President should compel Wike to publicly apologise for using derogatory language during a confrontation over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
Falana made the remarks on Thursday during the opening ceremony of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja. The event, organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), UNIABUJA Chapter, brought together notable members of the legal community.
According to Falana, the clash between Wike and the officer was a classic demonstration of “both parties taking the law into their own hands,” a behaviour he condemned in strong terms. He stressed that no public official, regardless of rank, has the authority to verbally demean any Nigerian.
“On no ground should a Minister insult or abuse a citizen. 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,” Falana stated, describing the Minister’s conduct as reckless and lacking emotional intelligence.
Falana clarified that although Wike acted within his statutory powers under Section 11 of the Land Use Act, his manner of engagement “fell short of the decorum and humility expected of public office holders.” He referenced a similar case in Ghana where a Minister was forced to apologise for insulting a citizen, emphasising that leadership must be exercised with restraint.
The senior lawyer also faulted the conduct of the naval officer who reportedly blocked the Minister from carrying out his lawful duties. Falana said the officer’s claim of acting on “superior orders” did not justify preventing a government official from performing his statutory role.
“The officer violated the law by guarding private property while claiming to act on superior orders. Those orders were unlawful. But the Minister also went off track. Even the President cannot call any Nigerian a fool,” he added, while commending the officer for keeping calm during the heated moment.
During his speech, Falana also criticised the Federal Government’s alleged plan to facilitate the return of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, to Nigeria to complete his prison sentence after being convicted in the United Kingdom for organ trafficking. He questioned why the government appeared focused on Ekweremadu while “ignoring the 232 other Nigerians serving jail terms in Britain.”
“I will take up this matter. The so-called prisoner exchange programme is questionable because there is no British citizen serving a prison term in Nigeria,” he said.
Speaking on the theme of the event, “Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice: Building the Next Generation of Advocates,” Falana urged law students to embrace technology, noting that courts across West Africa increasingly rely on virtual hearings, e-filing, and digital legal processes. He encouraged them to remain vocal on national issues and commit themselves to justice and good governance.
The ceremony also honoured Falana with the title “Senior Advocate of the Masses,” which he dedicated to indigent Nigerians who, he said, remain at the heart of his advocacy.
Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, Dean of the Faculty of Law, applauded LAWSAN for consistently bridging the gap between legal theory and practical experience. He stressed the importance of discipline, ethics, and integrity, reminding students that they carry the future of Nigeria’s legal profession.
Earlier, the President of LAWSAN, Abiola Akingbolu, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building future advocates through mentorship, exposure, and hands-on learning. He called on senior lawyers and institutions to support student-led initiatives aimed at developing young legal minds.