The Body of Benchers has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, as one of its worthy ambassadors.
The body's chairman, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), stated this when he and other officials 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 responsible for the formal call to the Bar of persons seeking to become legal practitioners and disciplining lawyers.
“The Body of Benchers, as we all know, represents men and women with 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 the delegation was in the minister’s office to thank him for his intervention in the judiciary's affairs.
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 it needed it.
“This afternoon, I am honoured to lead the delegation of the Body of Benchers to thank you for being a faithful member of the body.
“I want to thank you, sir, for your responsive interventions in judicial matters.
“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 for your commitment and loyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and thank you 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 by the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of government.
He said this was contrary to the erroneous perception by some Nigerians that the gesture was intended to influence the judiciary.
The chairman further said that the visit was to update the minister on the body's activities and introduce the incoming Chairman, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, former Chief Justice of Nigeria.
He asked the minister for continued support for the judicial arm of government.
Responding, Wike reiterated his commitment to contributing to the development of the judiciary.
He explained that the 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 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 constructing two hostels in the institution in the 2025 budget.
“Without the approval of the budget, it would have been tough 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 efforts to enhance the judiciary's performance.
“I will not miss this opportunity to contribute to the growth of the legal profession,” the minister said.