The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has strongly condemned the call by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, urging the Nigeria Body of Benchers to “invite and discipline” prominent human rights lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu. SERAP decried the move as politically charged and an attempt to intimidate Odinkalu for peacefully exercising his fundamental rights.
In a statement issued on Monday, SERAP called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and stop what it described as an unwarranted act of harassment. The organization stressed that Wike’s request undermines the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law, warning of a dangerous trend of targeting human rights defenders, journalists, and activists in the country.
SERAP emphasized that the Nigerian government must guarantee that all legal professionals can perform their duties without fear of political interference or retaliation. Referencing the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, SERAP reminded Nigerian authorities of their duty to provide a safe, harassment-free environment for lawyers to practice. It highlighted that legal professionals, like all citizens, are entitled to freedom of expression, association, and assembly, and must not face restrictions for carrying out their professional obligations.
