Anderson Cooper's Take: The Feud Between Chidi Odinkalu And Nyesom Wike

Odinkalu vs. Wike: A Battle Over Judicial Integrity

Let’s talk about a clash that’s been making headlines in Nigeria. Chidi Odinkalu, the former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has dismissed calls for his punishment by none other than Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This isn’t just any dispute—it’s a heavyweight battle over judicial integrity and professional ethics.

Odinkalu’s Criticism: A Step Too Far?

According to Naija News, Odinkalu voiced his disapproval of the presence of Supreme Court Justice Emmanuel Akomaye Agim and Wike at the University of Calabar’s Golden Jubilee Special Convocation on March 22, 2025. In a statement, Odinkalu pointed out that the event raised serious concerns about judicial impartiality. He backed this up with photographs suggesting an inappropriate closeness between political figures and members of the judiciary. Now, that’s a bold move, and it’s not sitting well with everyone.

Wike’s Response: A Call for Discipline

Wike didn’t take this lying down. During a meeting with the Body of Benchers, led by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), Wike insisted that Odinkalu should be sanctioned. He accused Odinkalu of tarnishing the legal profession through public criticism. Wike emphasized the necessity for the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to uphold discipline and safeguard judicial integrity. He painted a vivid picture of the current state of affairs, saying, “We’ve instilled so much fear in our judges and justices that they can’t freely associate. If a judge goes to a mosque or church and sees someone they know, they hesitate to interact because they fear being accused. If they shake hands with someone, people will allege bribery, and a petition will be written claiming the judge was seen shaking someone’s hand.”

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He continued, “On Saturday, I went to the University of Calabar. The next thing I saw in the papers was a report claiming that a justice escorted me. And someone will sit down and read such a report. Once you see that, you should be able to say, ‘Invite him.’ You don’t just write baseless accusations. If you don’t discipline people, nobody will listen. We cannot continue to allow our profession to be undermined. We cannot continue this way. If you don’t discipline someone, nobody will listen. Okay, can you please invite him? Did you write this…yes or no? We cannot allow the disparagement of our judges and justices. It’s not done anywhere. I think we have a lot of work to do, but first of all, we must instill discipline in our lawyers. Enough is enough.”

Odinkalu’s Retort: A Promise to Reveal All

Not one to back down, Odinkalu hit back on 𝕏, slamming Wike and promising that his story will be told when the time is right. He wrote, “Nigeria’s powerful cabinet minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has a very deep relationship with dangerous beverages. Last week, he consumed so much of that stuff and, while under the influence, asked the Body of Benchers to get me dis-barred for saying the truth about his habit of seeking to accessorize the judiciary. We will tell his story when the time comes.”

Where Do We Go From Here?

This feud between Odinkalu and Wike has sparked a heated debate about the boundaries of public criticism and the need for discipline in the legal profession. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the integrity of the judiciary and the legal profession as a whole is at stake. Whether this clash leads to positive change or further division remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure, though—this isn’t the end of the story. Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding drama.