The United Nations Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, has described the call for disciplinary action against Prof. Chidi Odinkalu by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ezenwo Nyesom Wike as ‘disturbing.”
Reacting to Amnesty International’s condemnation of the call published by Law & Society Magazine on her X (formerly Twitter) page, Ms. Satterthwaite said: “Lawyers must be free to voice their analysis and opinions without threats or intimidation.”
During a courtesy visit on the minister by the Body of Benchers, Friday, 28 March 2025, he recommended that Odinkalu should be sent to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for degrading the legal profession.
“#Nigeria: Disturbing news–Minister calls for disciplinary action against Professor @ChidiOdinkalu based on the exercise of his right to freedom of expression. Lawyers must be free to voice their analysis and opinions without threats or intimidation,” the UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers said.
