Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to tender a public apology for using derogatory language against a serving naval officer during a confrontation over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
Naijaonpoint reports that Falana made the call on Thursday at the opening of the Legal Year of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, an event organised by the Law Students Association of Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Falana condemned Wike’s remarks toward Navy Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, describing the clash as an avoidable breakdown of order.
“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 said.
Falana added that Wike was “lucky he was not shot”, stressing that the confrontation could have escalated dangerously.
Although the lawyer acknowledged that Wike acted under powers granted by Section 11 of the Land Use Act, he said the Minister’s approach lacked restraint and emotional intelligence.
He also criticised Lt. Yerima for obstructing the minister from carrying out his lawful duties.
“The officer violated the law by guarding private property while claiming to act on superior orders. Those orders were unlawful,” he said.
Falana, however, commended the officer for remaining calm under pressure, adding, “Even the President cannot call any Nigerian a fool.”
Falana recalled a case in Ghana where a minister was compelled to apologise for using improper language against a citizen, insisting that public officers must demonstrate humility and respect.
At the event, Falana also berated the Federal Government for allegedly considering a plan that would allow former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu to serve the remainder of his UK jail term in Nigeria.
He questioned why the government had shown concern for Ekweremadu “while ignoring the 232 Nigerians currently serving prison 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, Litigation as the Bloodline of Justice, Falana encouraged law students to embrace technology as the judiciary increasingly adopts virtual hearings and e-filing systems across West Africa.
He urged young lawyers to actively engage in national discourse and defend democratic values.
Falana received the honorary title of “Senior Advocate of the Masses,” which he dedicated to indigent Nigerians.
Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, praised LAWSAN for bridging legal theory and practice. He emphasised ethics, discipline and integrity as cornerstones of the profession.
LAWSAN President, Abiola Akingbolu, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to mentorship and building the next generation of legal advocates.
“Mentorship remains key to grooming the next generation of advocates,” he said.
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