A group of legal practitioners identified as Trust Africa Initiative has slammed the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over statements made against the chairman of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), Justice Adolphus Enebeli, retired during his media chat on Wednesday.
In a press conference in Port Harcourt, the group challenged Wike to provide evidence to support his allegations against retired Justice Enebeli.
The group’s executive director, Chetam Thierry-Nwala, questioned Wike’s motives for appointing Enebeli as RSIEC chairman, only to later accuse him of corruption and lacking integrity.
Thierry-Nwala emphasised that it is wrong for Wike to disparage a jurist who has served the state meritoriously, and urged the public not to take the FCT Minister’s comments seriously.
He said: “It is quite sad and unfortunate that because of politics and the political interest of the Minister that Nyesom Wike will stoop so low to make such irresponsible remarks against such a jurist who has made his mark on the Bench.
“What is further sad about Wike said is that it was this same Nyesom Wike who, during the validation session of Justice Enebeli rained several praises, eulogies, and thanked him for his service to the State.
“And it must be said on record that Justice Enebeli served the Rivers State Judiciary for about 31 years, first as a Magistrate, and then as a Judge of the Rivers State High Court where cumulatively he served the state for 31 years. Wike noted this fact during his speech at the validatory session marking the retirement of Justice Enebeli.
“It is really unfortunate that at this particular time of the political turmoil in the state. It an unfortunate one, we condemn the abuses rained on Justice Enebeli, and we call on Wike to retrieve the statements because it does not actually show how a proper Rivers man behaves in circumstances like this.”
Other members of the group, including Patrick Ogbuehi and Peter Karagbara, echoed Thierry-Nwala’s sentiments, pointing out that none of Enebeli’s judgments have been overturned in higher courts.
They described Wike as a man of double standards and advised the public to disregard his claims.
“That is a record that even the person who made this statement can not even discredit. So, all of a sudden because he has fallen out with you , especially on your political ideology he has now become a Corrupt man.
“Anybody who goes against him or does not agree with him becomes an enemy.”