A major controversy has erupted in Nigeria’s legal space as Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has publicly queried human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), over his qualifications and contributions to the legal profession.

In a statement released on Monday, Olayinka criticized Falana’s recent remarks regarding the appointment of legal professionals as Life Benchers, claiming that the senior lawyer has done little beyond making public commentary.

“It is funny and ridiculous that in the mind of Falana, only those who have handled cases in trial or appellate courts are lawyers, and that a lawyer must have done so to be qualified as a Life Bencher,” Olayinka stated.

Defending the credibility of Wike’s recent nomination to the Body of Benchers, Olayinka said the former Rivers State Governor earned the position on merit due to his tangible contributions to legal education.

He highlighted Wike’s role in developing the Nigerian Law School campuses in Port Harcourt and Yenagoa, as well as ongoing projects under his leadership in the FCT, including a 10-unit housing project for the Law School in Bwari and the provision of operational vehicles.

Turning the spotlight on Falana, Olayinka asked, “What has Falana contributed to the legal profession?”

He went on to contrast Falana’s alleged lack of infrastructure or educational support with prominent legal figures like Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) and Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who have invested heavily in law centers and legal initiatives, especially in Ekiti State, Falana’s home state.

Olayinka also accused Falana of misleading the public and clients regarding recent legal decisions, particularly on issues related to the Rivers State House of Assembly. He referenced Falana’s comments on national television disputing the Supreme Court’s role in ruling on the defection of lawmakers, labeling his interpretation “deceptive.”

According to Olayinka, it was on the basis of the Supreme Court judgment that the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt dismissed the Labour Party’s suit on the defection matter.”

He also took issue with Falana’s position that three lawmakers could perform legislative functions in the 32-member Rivers Assembly, arguing it contradicts the constitutional requirement for a quorum.

“If as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, you could tell your client that Section 96 (1) of the Constitution of Nigeria is useless… then questions need to be asked as to how exactly you qualified as a SAN,” he said.

The statement marks a significant escalation in the ongoing legal and political tensions surrounding the Rivers State Assembly crisis and raises questions about standards within the Nigerian legal profession.

Neither Femi Falana nor his representatives have issued a response as of the time of filing this report.

Posters of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala A. Mohammed, with the inscription ‘Kaura for President 2027’ have flooded Bauchi streets, Daily Trust can report.

The posters were placed at strategic places including roundabouts, electrical poles and signboards along major streets within the state capital.

Daily Trust observed that the posters were visible along major streets of Railway road, Sabon Titin Karofi and Kofar Dumi street among others.

One of the youths hired for the pasting the posters, Aminu Auwal, told Daily Trust that two politicians identified as Ya’u Ortega and Talolo, contracted them to do the job.

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Auwal said: “We were directed to post the governor’s posters along major steers of Bauchi state. We started the work around 1am today and we are hoping to finish it today.”

Efforts to reach Ortega and Talolo for comment proved abortive as their phone numbers did not connect as of the time our reporter attempted to reach them for comments.

Abdulahi Ganduje rubbishes Buba Galadima over comment declaring he is not qualified as a failed politician to query his electoral value.

On Thursday, Galadima, chieftain of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), said Ganduje has no political value and owes his current position solely to President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued by Oliver Okpara, his senior special assistant on public enlightenment, Ganduje described Galadima as “a failed politician with no political base”.

“His statement clearly portrays him as a mischievous personality, politically,” the statement reads.

“Ganduje is well known, tested and trusted, result-orientated technocrat and politician of high repute who successfully led Kano for two uninterrupted terms.

“He is a man with infallible proof of performance across Kano and beyond.

“His developmental projects are still littered across Kano state, a testament of his unbroken connection with the people.

“Ganduje is a grassroots politician with results to show. Where are Galadima’s results?

“Galadima should know that the APC ship under the leadership of Dr. Ganduje is sailing smoothly and the party has continued to wax stronger under him.

“The same cannot be said of Buba Galadima’s NNPP which has continued to suffer serious lacerations due to an intractable and untreatable factionalization.”

On April 7, Galadima alleged that there was a plot by some people to destabilise Kano and force the federal government to declare emergency rule in the state.

Speaking on Jigsaw, a political programme aired on AIT, Galadima said those behind the plot were hatching it without Tinubu’s knowledge.