By Adesina Soyooye
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has strongly condemned the recent humiliation of Lawyers by Judges over frivolous issues.
In a statement signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, and General Secretary, Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, the NBA expressed “utmost shock” over reports of the incident which happened at the Court of the Honourable Justice Chikwendu Nwogu who convicted a defence Counsel, Mrs Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin after he delivered a judgement in a suit which involved the Chief of Naval Staff and others.
The NBA accused some Judges of judicial bullying and abuse of contempt powers to intimidate, and thus, unlawfully detaining Lawyers.
The NBA, also, noted another incident which happened at the Federal High Court, Abuja, where Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia ordered the detention of Martin Anyanwu, a legal officer, in the court’s holding facility on March 25, 2026.
The NBA regretted the worrisome incidents of lawyers being subjected to humiliating treatment in courtrooms, including being forced to kneel or face the wall under threat of contempt. The body warned that these actions undermine the dignity of the legal profession and erode trust in the justice system.
According to it, not every act of discourtesy amounts to contempt, and added that criticism of a Judge or Court, if made in good faith, does not justify punitive measures.
Misuse of contempt powers, the NBA, warned, creates fear in courtrooms and threatens the right of lawyers to represent clients without intimidation.
Where a lawyer’s conduct is questionable, the NBA argued, the proper course is referral to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, not summary detention, and described the actions as “high-handed” and an abuse of judicial authority.
Finally, it demanded the immediate release of the affected lawyers, and called for investigations by the Rivers State Chief Judge and the National Judicial Council. The body threatened a seven-day boycott of proceedings before Justice Nwogu if the detained counsel is not freed within 24 hours.
NBA: “We wish to remind the judges that a Judge’s invocation of his power to punish for contempt of his court is an unwarranted exhibition of naked judicial power which puts counsel and their clients in fear of the court and erodes an important safeguard of fair trial.
“In deprecating these actions, we must also remind Judges that not every act of discourtesy to the Court by Counsel amounts to contempt, nor any conduct which involves a breach by Counsel of his duty to his client. Courts must distinguish between acts of discourtesy, incivility, uncouth behaviour, or rudeness.”
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