Senior Advocate Kunle Edun Condemns Wike’s Verbal Assault On Naval Officer, Calls It Disgrace To Legal Profession

 

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kunle Edun, has strongly criticized the conduct of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, describing his verbal attack on a Nigerian Naval officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, as a gross assault on the dignity of the legal profession and an insult to a national symbol.

Edun, who expressed his displeasure in a statement shared with Daily Post on Wednesday, said the incident reflected a disturbing disregard for decency and respect for lawful authority, especially coming from a legal practitioner of Wike’s standing. He emphasized that the minister’s choice of words against the officer was unbecoming of any person entrusted with public responsibility, let alone a lawyer and a life bencher.

The senior lawyer stated that calling a military officer dressed in full naval uniform a fool was a direct affront not only to the individual but also to the Nigerian Navy as an institution representing national pride, order, and discipline. According to him, such behavior is inconsistent with the high standards of conduct expected of members of the legal profession, who are meant to exemplify respect for rule of law and decorum.

Edun further referenced the recent decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in John Aikpokop-Martins v. Danladi Umar, where the committee affirmed that it holds jurisdiction over cases involving unprofessional or unbecoming behavior by lawyers, even outside strictly professional contexts. He argued that Wike’s public outburst falls within that category of misconduct, making it subject to potential disciplinary scrutiny by the LPDC.

He added that no lawyer, regardless of social or political position, should behave in a way that ridicules the ethical principles guiding the legal profession. According to Edun, the legal community must uphold a collective responsibility to defend the integrity of its members and ensure that errant conduct is swiftly addressed to preserve public confidence in the justice system.

The senior advocate urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take a firmer stance in upholding professional ethics among its members. He proposed the creation of an office of a Prosecutor-General within the association to proactively investigate and prosecute ethical breaches among lawyers without waiting for formal petitions from victims or third parties.

Edun also highlighted that Lt. Yerima, the officer publicly embarrassed by the minister, has a right to pursue legal redress. He said the naval officer could institute a civil suit against Wike for defamation and unjustified public insult, noting that the verbal assault had damaged both his personal dignity and the symbolic honor of the military uniform he wore.

He maintained that respect for national symbols such as the armed forces is essential to sustaining order and national unity, stressing that public officials must lead by example in demonstrating restraint, civility, and humility, even under provocation.

According to him, “Wike’s action goes beyond a mere personal exchange; it reflects an attitude that undermines the values of respect and discipline that hold the nation together.” Edun concluded by warning that unless acts like this are publicly condemned and addressed, the boundaries of acceptable conduct by leaders will continue to erode, with dangerous implications for the nation’s moral and institutional integrity.