Mr. Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), against what he described as misleading legal interpretations regarding the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Olayinka, in a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, reacted to Falana’s recent remarks on national television, where the Senior Advocate argued that the Supreme Court ruling on the Rivers Assembly crisis had no bearing on the authenticity of the Assembly’s leadership.
Describing Falana’s position as a “misrepresentation of facts,” Olayinka said the judgment of the Supreme Court had, in fact, addressed the defection issue at the heart of the controversy. He cited a ruling by Justice Emmanuel Obile of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, who dismissed a suit filed by the Labour Party on the basis that the apex court had already settled the matter.
“But Falana went on television to tell his client that the Supreme Court didn’t rule on the defection. That’s clearly misleading,” Olayinka said.
He also took issue with Falana’s stance that three lawmakers could legally conduct legislative business, calling it a direct contradiction of Section 96(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates that one-third of all members constitutes a quorum in a House of Assembly.
Olayinka further criticized Falana for his comments suggesting that only lawyers with trial or appellate court experience should qualify for appointments to the Body of Benchers.
He described the claim as “funny and ridiculous,” pointing out that Wike earned his place in the Body of Benchers through merit and substantial contributions to legal education in Nigeria.
“As Governor of Rivers State, Wike was pivotal in the development of the Port Harcourt campus of the Nigerian Law School, which is now considered the best in the country,” he said.
“He also contributed to the Yenagoa campus, building a 1,500-capacity hall and 200-bed hostels. Now, as FCT Minister, he’s constructing a 10-unit housing complex for the Law School in Bwari, and has provided operational vehicles to support the school’s activities.”
Olayinka urged Falana to refrain from using his public platform to distort legal facts and mislead the public on sensitive constitutional matters.
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