THE Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has accused the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of having double standards, noting that while it labelled financial support for the judiciary as bribery it accepts funds from state governments for its own activities.
Speaking while receiving officials from the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Wike also alleged that the NBA opposed the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu because the Rivers State government had committed to hosting the association’s annual general conference.
Wike recalled that when the NBA was constructing its National Secretariat, it sought financial support from the executive, which was not considered a bribe at the time.
“I was the only one who contributed to the NBA to build the National Secretariat. The NBA didn’t see it as a bribe.
“When you contribute to the Body of Benchers, it is a bribe, but when you contribute to NBA it is not a bribe, they will take it.
“The same NBA will rely on state governments to sponsor their activities, but when the state government supports the judiciary it is bribery,” he added.
Wike further stated that ongoing criticism of judges had forced them into social isolation, making them hesitant to attend public events or even shake hands for fear of being accused of misconduct.
“It has gotten to the stage that our judges are so scared of going to a mosque or church or even greeting somebody they know because of fear of bribery.
“They run away from shaking people’s hands because they will start accusing them of collecting bribes. This must stop,” he said.
He claimed that the NBA’s opposition stemmed from concerns that a state of emergency would disrupt funding for its conference.
“What kind of hypocrisy is this?” he asked.
Wike urged the Body of Benchers to intervene, accusing the NBA of frequently criticising the judiciary without justification.
According to him, some lawyers publicly denounce judicial decisions without fully understanding them, a practice that, he said, has persisted without consequences.
“If you don’t discipline somebody, nobody will learn any lesson.
“We shall no longer allow our profession to be pulled down. I cannot believe, as a lawyer, that you make a contribution to help the legal profession, and will be criticised by your fellow lawyers.
“Sir, the time has come that we need to say look, enough is enough. We cannot continue to discourage our judges and justices. It is not done anywhere.
“I have never seen where members of a profession are the ones that are bent on bringing the profession down,” he said.
Eighteen-Eleven Media