Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a warning to renowned human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) not to mislead his clients.
In a recent national television interview, Falana claimed that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Rivers crisis did not address the legitimacy of the Speaker of the Rivers State Assembly.
He made these remarks while discussing the defection of 27 members of the Assembly, as determined by the Supreme Court.
In response, Olayinka released a statement in Abuja on Monday, emphasizing that the Supreme Court’s ruling was crucial in dismissing a case filed by the Labour Party against the alleged defections.
He clarified that Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt had thrown out the suit, asserting that the matter of defection had already been settled by the Supreme Court.
Olayinka accused Falana of misleading his clients, insisting that the Supreme Court had, indeed, addressed the defection issue.
He also criticized Falana’s claim that only three members of the Rivers House of Assembly were necessary to conduct legislative activities, despite Section 96 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that a quorum for a House of Assembly should be at least one-third of its members.
Additionally, Olayinka dismissed Falana’s assertion that only lawyers with trial or appellate court experience are eligible for appointment as Life Benchers, calling the statement “absurd and ridiculous.”
Olayinka also took the opportunity to highlight that Wike’s membership in the Body of Benchers was well-deserved due to his substantial contributions to legal education.
As the former Governor of Rivers State, Wike played a pivotal role in the establishment and development of the Nigerian Law School campus in Port Harcourt, which is now considered one of the best legal education centers in Nigeria.
He also made significant contributions to the Yenagoa campus, including constructing a 1,500-capacity hall and 200-bed hostels for male and female students.
Currently, as the FCT Minister, Wike continues to support legal education by funding the construction of 10 housing units for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari, Abuja, and providing operational vehicles for the institution.
Olayinka concluded by stating that Wike’s efforts have made a lasting and meaningful impact on the advancement of legal education in Nigeria.
(NAN)
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