The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday in Abuja called for discipline, clear thinking and strong legal knowledge in appellate advocacy during the public presentation of a legal book aimed at improving practice at higher courts.
Wike spoke at the launch of “Ukala’s Manual on Appellate Practice,” written by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Emmanuel Ukala, at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre. He said appellate work plays an important role in strengthening the justice system and requires a different level of skill compared to trial court proceedings.
According to him, cases at the appellate stage demand careful reasoning, proper understanding of legal rules and the ability to present arguments with clarity. He noted that lawyers who appear before higher courts must show a strong grasp of both substantive and procedural law.
Wike described the book as a useful guide that connects legal theory with actual courtroom practice. He said it would help lawyers, especially younger ones, build confidence and improve their ability to handle appeals.
He also spoke about his personal experience in legal practice, saying he had handled cases at the appellate level and understood the value of decisions taken at that stage of the justice process.
The minister recalled that he once worked in Ukala’s law firm, where he gained early experience that shaped his approach to legal work. He said the training he received there helped him develop attention to detail and respect for the profession.
Wike said the book provides practical help on key areas of appellate litigation, including filing notices of appeal, preparing court records, handling applications, writing legal arguments and presenting cases in court.
He added that the work would remain useful to both lawyers and judges because of its focus on real issues faced in legal practice.
He urged young lawyers to make use of the book in improving their skills, noting that success in the legal profession requires effort and continuous learning.
The event drew many top figures in the legal field, including the President of the National Industrial Court, Justice Benedict Kanyip, former Attorney General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi, justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, members of the Body of Benchers and other legal practitioners.
The book was also reviewed by Joseph Daudu and Ferdinand Orbih, both Senior Advocates of Nigeria, as part of the programme attended by legal professionals from across the country.
The gathering reflected continued interest in improving legal practice and strengthening the justice system through knowledge sharing and professional development.