…Aiyedatiwa Reaffirms Government’s Obedience to Court Orders
Former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, has launched a scathing attack on former U.S. President Donald Trump, accusing him of attempting to “intimidate and threaten” Nigeria through reckless and racist rhetoric.
Fani-Kayode, who spoke in Akure on Tuesday at the opening of the 2025 Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Akure Branch, described Trump’s alleged threat to bomb Nigeria as “unlawful, barbaric and unacceptable.”
“When another president threatens to bomb us and calls us names, that is reckless and barbaric behavior,” he said. “We must respond lawfully but firmly, hold our heads high, and defend our country’s integrity.”
The former minister accused Western powers of deliberately sponsoring terrorism to destabilize developing nations, including Nigeria.
“They created Al-Qaeda, ISIS, Al-Shabaab, and even Boko Haram to destabilize countries like ours,” Fani-Kayode alleged. “But we’ve stood strong and refused to be broken.”
He also accused the West of plotting regime change in Nigeria by undermining the current administration through economic and social manipulation.
“They don’t want Nigeria to succeed. They want us divided, weak, and dependent,” he said. “But under the Jagaban, we are becoming stronger. They are angry because we said no to their plans to dump Venezuelan prisoners here or bring Palestinians from Gaza into our country.”
Fani-Kayode commended the government’s economic reforms and resistance to foreign pressure, calling for unity among Nigerians across ethnic and religious lines.
“Christians and Muslims have both suffered under terrorism. It’s not about religion; it’s about barbarism,” he said. “We must come together and show the world that Nigeria cannot be turned into Gaza, Darfur, or Libya.”
He added that the West’s discomfort with Nigeria’s growing self-sufficiency — including the Dangote Refinery project — was evidence of a larger plot to keep the nation economically dependent.
“They don’t like the fact that we can now refine our crude oil. That’s why they are angry,” he declared.
Aiyedatiwa Reaffirms Government’s Commitment to Rule of Law
In his remarks, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Ondo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Olukayode Ajulo (SAN), reaffirmed the state government’s unwavering commitment to obeying court orders and upholding judicial independence.
Aiyedatiwa said his administration has “demonstrated uncommon respect for the rule of law” through consistent cooperation with the judiciary and the Bar.
“The Executive Arm, which I represent, is sworn to protect and guarantee judicial independence, uphold and respect judicial pronouncements, and ensure that the course of justice is never hindered,” Aiyedatiwa stated.
He described the judiciary as the foundation of a just society and emphasized that a “utilitarian judiciary” must balance legality with social justice.
“A judiciary that is socially beneficial and trusted by the people is the strongest pillar of democracy,” he said.
Aiyedatiwa highlighted the state’s ongoing investment in court infrastructure and digitalization of judicial processes, adding that the administration sees justice as the foundation of prosperity and stability.
“In Ondo State, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, we have continued to promote judicial reforms and maintain cordial collaboration with the Bar and the Bench,” he said.
He urged lawyers to remain “the conscience of the nation and defenders of the voiceless.”
“Public trust in institutions is fragile,” he cautioned. “It is our duty as lawyers to restore that confidence through ethics, courage, and service.”
