The Body of Benchers has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike as one of its worthy ambassadors.
The Chairman of the body, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), stated this when he and other officials of the body visited the minister in Abuja on Friday.
Awomolo explained that the Body of Benchers is the legal body of practitioners of the highest distinction in the legal profession.
He added that the body was not only responsible for the formal call to the Bar of persons seeking to become legal practitioners but also disciplines erring lawyers.
“The Body of Benchers as we all know, represents men and women of the highest distinction in our profession.
“We are regarded as the soul, the coordinator or the spirit that guides the legal profession, including the administration of justice,” he said.
He said that the delegation was in the minister’s office to thank him for his intervention in the affairs of the judiciary.
He said that the interventions were not limited to FCT, adding that the minister intervened in matters relating to the welfare and goodwill of the judiciary in Rivers when he was the governor.
He thanked Wike for his responsiveness in appreciating the need to help the judiciary in areas where they required help.
“This afternoon, I am honoured to lead the delegation of the Body of Benchers to say thank you for being a faithful member of the body.
“I want to thank you sir, for your responsive interventions in matters of judiciary.
“You are a good representative of the legal profession in the cabinet of President Bola Tinubu.
“The president even called you a good man during a live interview on national television. Nothing can be better than that. Continue to put in your best as our ambassador,” he said.
Awomolo said that coming from the body of the men of the highest distinction in the legal profession, “whatever you do, we are watching.
“At regular times we will come to say thank you for being a good ambassador; thank you sir for your commitment and loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and thank you sir for all you are doing”.
He commended the minister for the ongoing construction of comfortable accommodation for judicial officers, describing it as a “responsive intervention”.
He explained that the move was in line with the separation of power among the executive, the legislature and the judiciary arms of government.
This he said, was contrary to the erroneous perception by some Nigerians that the gesture was to influence the judiciary.
The chairman further said that the visit was to also update the minister on the activities of the body and introduce the incoming Chairman of the body, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He asked the minister for continued support to the judicial arm of government.
Responding, Wike reiterated his commitment to contribute to the development of the judiciary.
He explained that construction of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, the Annex Office Complex of the Body of Benchers, and the Judges Quarters was based on approval by Tinubu.
He said that the funds were budgeted, approved by Tinubu and passed by the National Assembly.
He added that the story was the same for the ongoing construction of staff quarters at the Nigerian Law School, Bwari, adding that funds have been earmarked for the construction of two hostels in the institution in the 2025 budget.
“Without the approval of the budget, it would have been very impossible for me to support the Body of Benchers and the judiciary in general.
“The court of appeal complex and the judges’ quarters under construction were also appropriated.
“To me, whatever I can do to support the profession I belong to, I will do, and I owe nobody an apology for supporting to enhance the performance of the judiciary.
“I will not miss this opportunity to contribute to the growth of the legal profession,” the minister said.
