How court battles shaped my respect for Judges – Wike

Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said his many appearances before appellate courts as a litigant played a major role in shaping his legal career and strengthening his respect for the judiciary.

Wike spoke on Wednesday in Abuja at the public presentation of “Ukala’s Manual on Appellate Practice,” written by senior lawyer Emmanuel C. Ukala. The event was held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Garki.

According to Wike, his experience in prosecuting and defending several cases before appellate courts gave him a deeper understanding of the discipline and seriousness required at that level of legal practice.

“I am a direct beneficiary of the work done at the appellate level, having had the privilege, as a party in numerous disputes, to prosecute and defend cases before appellate courts. These experiences have deepened my appreciation of the discipline, rigour, and institutional value of appellate adjudication,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor, who is also a Life Bencher, said standing before the courts as a litigant rather than as counsel gave him a different and valuable perspective on the legal process.

He noted that appellate advocacy is not the same as trial advocacy, stressing that it demands precision, disciplined reasoning, proper structure, and strong command of both substantive and procedural law.

Wike described Ukala’s manual as a practical legal tool that would benefit both young lawyers and senior practitioners.

“This is not the kind of book that will sit quietly on a shelf. It is one that will be consulted often, especially in moments when a lawyer must get it right,” Wike said.

The minister also revealed his personal link with the author, saying he began his legal career at Ukala’s law firm, where he learnt values that have continued to influence his professional and public life.

He praised the book for covering key areas of appellate practice, including notices and grounds of appeal, compilation of records, interlocutory applications, briefs of argument, written and oral advocacy, and the original jurisdiction of appellate courts.

Wike urged young lawyers not to treat the book launch as a ceremonial event, but to study and apply the lessons in the manual to improve their legal practice.

“Do not just celebrate this book; use it. Let it challenge and refine you. Excellence in this profession is a deliberate pursuit,” he said.

The event was attended by leading figures in the legal profession, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Court of Appeal, justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, members of the Body of Benchers, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria.