Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has strongly rebutted accusations by Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, that he misrepresented a Supreme Court ruling on the ongoing Rivers State House of Assembly defection crisis. Falana, in a statement released on Monday, called Wike’s comments "mischievous" and designed to incite the judiciary against him.
The controversy stems from the defection of 27 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, which led to a political standoff and calls for their impeachment. Falana insisted that his comments on the issue were grounded in factual constitutional analysis, dismissing Wike’s claims that he lied about the court’s verdict.
In his statement, Falana detailed the legal proceedings involving the 27 defectors, emphasizing that the matter had been raised suo motu by the Supreme Court, which ruled on it in February 2025. He pointed out that the defectors, including key figures such as Speaker Martin Amaewhule, had publicly confirmed their party switch through affidavits and videos. Despite this, the Supreme Court ruled that no sufficient evidence was presented to validate their defection and upheld that they remained members of the PDP.
Wike, who has been embroiled in a bitter feud with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, had criticized Falana's analysis during a media interview, accusing him of spreading misinformation. Falana responded by pointing out that Wike’s allegations were part of an orchestrated attempt to undermine him, noting that Wike had previously mocked him for his legal opinions, even calling him a "television lawyer."
Refuting the accusations, Falana stated: “Contrary to Mr. Wike’s assertion, I did not lie against the Supreme Court. All I said was that the matter of the defection of the 27 legislators was raised suo motu and determined by the eminent Justices of the apex court.”
Falana also expressed his right to critique judicial decisions, referencing Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He noted that even the Supreme Court itself acknowledged its fallibility, citing the famous statement by Justice Oputa, “We are final not because we are infallible; we are infallible because we are final.”
The senior lawyer also cautioned that the Supreme Court’s recent interpretation of the defection law could be misused by unscrupulous politicians, further eroding political integrity in Nigeria.
“I fear that this ruling could be weaponized by unpatriotic politicians to justify political prostitution,” Falana warned.
The defection saga in Rivers State has seen intense political tension, especially with the suspension of Governor Fubara, his deputy, and all lawmakers following the declaration of a state of emergency by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025. Despite the court ruling and Wike’s statements, the PDP continues to call for the defectors’ seats to be vacated, while the Labour Party’s legal challenges to unseat the lawmakers have been dismissed by the courts.
Falana’s rebuke of Wike comes amid growing discontent over the legal and political crises in Rivers State and beyond, highlighting the complex interplay between judicial decisions, political maneuvers, and public perception.
