NBA ISSUES 24-HOUR ULTIMATUM FOR RELEASE OF DETAINED LAWYERS, FAULTS JUDGES
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By: Balogun Ibrahim
The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned what it described as increasing incidents of judicial intimidation, accusing some judges of misusing contempt powers to harass and unlawfully detain legal practitioners.
In a statement issued on Thursday, jointly signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the association expressed “deep shock” over reports from a Rivers State High Court. The statement alleged that Justice Chinwendu Nwogu convicted and ordered the detention of defence counsel, Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin, after delivering judgment in a case involving the Chief of Naval Staff and others.
The NBA also referenced a separate incident at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia reportedly ordered the detention of a legal officer, Martin Anyanwu, in the court’s holding facility on March 25, 2026.
According to the Nigerian Bar Association, there have been troubling reports of lawyers being subjected to degrading treatment in courtrooms, including being compelled to kneel or face the wall under threat of contempt. The association warned that such practices diminish the dignity of the legal profession and weaken public confidence in the justice system.
The NBA emphasised that not every instance of perceived discourtesy amounts to contempt, noting that criticism of a judge or court—when made in good faith—should not attract punitive action. It cautioned that the misuse of contempt powers fosters fear in courtrooms and undermines lawyers’ ability to represent clients without intimidation.
The body maintained that cases involving questionable conduct by lawyers should be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee rather than result in summary detention, describing the alleged actions as “high-handed” and an abuse of judicial authority.
It called for the immediate release of the affected lawyers and urged the Rivers State Chief Judge and the National Judicial Council to investigate the incidents. The association also threatened a seven-day boycott of proceedings before Justice Chinwendu Nwogu if the detained counsel is not released within 24 hours.
The NBA further warned that excessive use of contempt powers amounts to an unwarranted display of judicial authority, which could instil fear among counsel and litigants and erode the principles of fair trial. It stressed the need for courts to clearly distinguish between genuine contempt and acts of discourtesy, incivility, or rudeness.
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