A legal practitioner, Bob James, has petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, seeking the suspension of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from the Body of Benchers. James said Wike’s recent confrontation with a naval officer at a disputed land in Abuja amounts to “dishonourable public conduct” unbecoming of a senior lawyer.
The petition follows a viral video published on November 11 showing Wike engaging in a heated exchange with a naval officer during a land dispute in the Gwarinpa area of Abuja. The exchange, which included harsh words and tension between security personnel, sparked public debate and criticism.
“Wike’s Conduct Falls Below the Standard of a Bencher” — Lawyer
In his petition, James argued that Wike’s behaviour fell far below what is expected of a member of the Body of Benchers — the apex legal body responsible for regulating professional discipline and overseeing the Call to Bar ceremonies for new lawyers.
“The thing that makes this ugly scenario troubling is the fact that Mr Wike is not just a senior lawyer but a member of the Body of Benchers,” he wrote. “What Mr Wike has done is unparalleled. There is no precedent in the history of the legal profession in Nigeria of a bencher publicly deploying vulgar language or the kind of aggression associated with motor park people.”
James insisted that the Body of Benchers must not ignore actions that contradict the moral and ethical standards it expects young lawyers to uphold.
“Benchers Cannot Be Found Wanting”
He added that benchers, who are seen as guardians of decorum, integrity, and professional conduct, must maintain the highest standards both in public and private life.
According to him, allowing Wike to sit alongside other leaders of the legal profession at the next Call to Bar ceremony would send the wrong signal to new entrants into the profession.
“They would just dismiss everybody on that panel as a bunch of pranksters,” he said. “If the new wigs are being told that one of the principal duties of benchers is to discipline erring lawyers, they would just hiss and say, ‘except the erring lawyer is a Wike.’”
James backed his call for action by citing professional conduct rules in other jurisdictions, referencing the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) of England. He noted that the SRA considers even personal comments made outside legal practice as capable of constituting professional misconduct if they are deemed offensive.
He also cited the Court of Appeal decision in Ayorinde v. Kuforiji (2007) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1024) 341, in which former Justice Amina Augie warned that “lawyers must guard their tongues and pens in and out of court.”
The lawyer urged the CJN to initiate a full investigation into the confrontation, insisting that the reputation of the legal profession is at stake. According to him, if an inquiry confirms that Wike used foul language in public, then the minister would no longer be “fit and proper” to remain a member of the Body of Benchers.
He concluded by requesting Wike’s suspension from the Body of Benchers pending the outcome of the investigation.
