The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for rejecting calls for a state of emergency in Rivers State, alleging that its stance was influenced by financial ties to the state government.
Speaking in Abuja on Friday while hosting a delegation from the Body of Benchers led by its Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Wike accused the NBA of hypocrisy. He claimed the association opposed the emergency declaration to safeguard its sponsorship deal with the Rivers State Government for its annual general conference.
Wike urged the Body of Benchers to intervene, accusing the NBA of making baseless criticisms against judicial rulings. He lamented that some lawyers openly condemned court decisions without reading them, thereby undermining the judiciary without facing consequences.
He stressed the need to protect the legal profession’s integrity, warning that unchecked internal criticism could weaken the judiciary. He also recalled his financial contributions to the NBA’s National Secretariat project, pointing out that similar support had not previously been labeled as bribery.
Expressing concern over growing public scrutiny of judges, Wike noted that many now avoid social events and even casual interactions due to fears of bribery allegations. He called for an end to what he described as undue intimidation of judicial officers.
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