Appellate Court Experiences Shaped My Legal Thinking — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says his repeated appearances before appellate courts as a litigant significantly influenced his legal outlook and deepened his respect for appellate justice.

He made the remarks on Wednesday in Abuja during the public presentation of “Ukala’s Manual on Appellate Practice” by Emmanuel C. Ukala, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Garki.

“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,” Wike said.

The former governor, who is also a Life Bencher, said his experience as a litigant gave him a unique understanding of court processes compared to serving as counsel.

He emphasised that appellate advocacy is more demanding than trial court proceedings, requiring greater precision, structured reasoning, and strong mastery of legal principles.

Wike described the legal profession as one that demands discipline and continuous learning, noting that appellate courts in particular require clarity and accuracy in argumentation.

He praised the book as a practical reference tool for lawyers, saying it goes beyond theory and will remain relevant in everyday legal practice.

“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,” he said.

Wike disclosed that his early legal training began at the author’s law firm, which helped shape his professional foundation.

He urged young practitioners to actively study and apply the book, insisting that legal excellence must be intentionally pursued.

“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 presentation was attended by top members of the judiciary, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the President of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal justices, the Body of Benchers, and Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

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