By Sylvester Udemezue
- I doubt that Learned Silk Adebayo Ojo Mutalubi, would be in a hurry to insult any Nigerian so gratuitously again. I’m sure he’d enjoy Prof Ozekhome’s response, although I am not endorsing such personality exchanges
- Learned silk Ojo’s verbal attack on Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, was entirely unwarranted. Right or wrong, Prof. Ozekhome’s constitutional right to constructively criticize our leaders is sacrosanct. It is deeply troubling that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria like Adebayo Ojo appears not to appreciate the fundamental right of citizens to speak truth to power. One would expect a Senior Advocate to understand that criticism, especially of public officials, is not only lawful but also essential in any thriving democracy.
- When one stoops to insults simply because they disagree with another’s opinion, it only shows an absence of reasoned argument. It is disappointing.
- Mr. Adebayo Ojo Mutalubi’s declaration that “I don’t belong to that school of thought where the anthem is – ‘Let us take the message and ignore the messenger’ because that would have excused that Mr. (not a Prof.) Mike Ozekhome’s vituperation on Channels TV” is, in my view, one of the most unfortunate public statements I have read from a Nigerian lawyer.
- Who advised Learned Silk that he is entitled to throw insults at fellow Nigerians, unprovoked and without justification?
- In any case, there are some individuals you simply don’t attack lightly; Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN, LLD, OFR, is one of them.
- Perhaps my oga, Learned Silk Adebayo Ojo Mutalubi, might take away a few valuable lessons from this episode.
- Meanwhile, I shall be releasing two brief commentaries on this regrettable exchange:
(1). The first, just concluded, offers reflections on the unfortunate exchange for edification of both the parties and the watching public. Titled, “BARROOM BATTLES AND THE BURDEN OF EXAMPLE: RETHINKING CIVILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY IN PUBLIC DISCOURSE (A Reflection on the Exchange Between Mike Ozekhome and Adebayo Ojo)” By Sylvester Udemezue. Due for release later today.
(2). The second will interrogate Learned Silk Adebayo Ojo’s curious declaration that “I don’t belong to that school of thought where the anthem is, ‘Let us take the message and ignore the messenger,'” which is an endorsement of insults and personality attacks as part of public discourse, a dangerous narrative that needs to be interrogated, again for tbe guidance and edification of all
Stay tuned. Meanwhile, please help me and go through my earlier words, published on 18 December 2018: “*On the Irresponsibility of Replying Critics & Divergent Opinions with Insults & Mudslinging”
(A word of caution by Sylvester Udemezue)
https://thenigerialawyer.com/on-the-irresponsibility-of-replying-critics-divergent-opinions-with-insults-mudslinging-a-word-of-caution-by-sylvester-udemezue/
Respectfully,
Sylvester Udemezue (Udems),
Proctor of TRM.
08039136749.
TheRealityMinister@Gmail.Com
(12 June 2025)
The views expressed by contributors are strictly personal and not of Law & Society Magazine.
