A fresh controversy has gripped Nigeria’s legal and political circles as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing attack on prominent human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN).
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, Olayinka took issue with Falana’s recent criticisms concerning the appointment of legal professionals as Life Benchers, describing his remarks as dismissive and out of touch with broader contributions to the legal field.
“It is funny and ridiculous that in the mind of Falana, only those who have handled cases in trial or appellate courts are lawyers, and that a lawyer must have done so to be qualified as a Life Bencher,” Olayinka said.
Defending Wike’s nomination to the Body of Benchers, Olayinka argued that the former Rivers State Governor has made concrete contributions to legal education and infrastructure, citing the development of Nigerian Law School campuses in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa. He also pointed to recent initiatives under Wike’s leadership in the FCT, including a housing project and the provision of vehicles for the Law School in Bwari.
Turning his criticism directly at Falana, Olayinka questioned the senior advocate’s legacy. “What has Falana contributed to the legal profession?” he asked, comparing him unfavorably to legal icons like Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) and Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who have invested significantly in legal institutions, particularly in Ekiti State—Falana’s home state.
Olayinka also accused Falana of misleading both the public and his clients with recent legal interpretations, especially on matters involving the Rivers State House of Assembly. He criticized Falana’s televised claims disputing the Supreme Court’s jurisdiction in the case of defecting lawmakers, calling them “deceptive.”
“It was on the basis of the Supreme Court judgment that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt dismissed the Labour Party’s suit on the defection matter,” Olayinka noted.
He further lambasted Falana’s argument that a trio of lawmakers could legitimately carry out legislative duties in the 32-member Rivers Assembly, labeling it a misreading of the constitutional provision on quorum.
“If as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, you could tell your client that Section 96 (1) of the Constitution of Nigeria is useless… then questions need to be asked as to how exactly you qualified as a SAN,” he declared.
As of the time of this report, Femi Falana has not issued a public response to the accusations. The remarks come amid heightened political tensions surrounding the crisis in the Rivers State House of Assembly and reignite debates over legal ethics and qualifications within the profession.
