The Nigerian Bar Association has raised concerns over what it describes as a growing trend of judicial overreach, accusing some judges of bullying lawyers and misusing contempt powers to intimidate legal practitioners.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said it had received reports of lawyers being unlawfully detained by judges in separate incidents in Rivers State and Abuja. It warned that such actions could undermine the administration of justice.
The NBA referenced proceedings in a case before the Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, where a defence lawyer, Mrs Lovinah Benjamin, was allegedly detained after judgment was delivered. She was reportedly held for contempt over claims that a written address filed in the matter contained false statements.
Another incident cited involved Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, who was said to have ordered the detention of a legal officer at the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Martin Anyanwu, in a court holding facility on March 25, 2026.
According to the NBA, recent reports also suggest that some lawyers have been subjected to degrading treatment in courtrooms, including being ordered to kneel or face the wall under threat of contempt proceedings. It described such developments as troubling and indicative of increasing intolerance among some members of the bench.
The association stressed that while courts have the authority to enforce discipline and protect their dignity, such powers must be exercised within the limits of the law and in line with due process. It maintained that not every act of criticism or perceived discourtesy amounts to contempt, noting that fair and good-faith criticism of judicial conduct should not be punished.
The NBA further argued that in cases where a lawyer’s conduct is deemed improper, the appropriate step is to refer the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee rather than impose immediate punitive measures such as detention. It described summary remand in such situations as excessive and a violation of fair hearing principles.
Calling for urgent action, the association demanded the immediate release of the affected lawyers and urged the relevant authorities to investigate the incidents. It also warned that its branches in Port Harcourt and surrounding areas would boycott proceedings before Justice Nwogu’s court for seven days if the detained counsel was not released within 24 hours.
The NBA added that it would engage judicial oversight bodies to address what it sees as a pattern of abuse, emphasizing that courtrooms must remain spaces governed by fairness, respect for the rule of law, and not intimidation.
The Nigerian Bar Association has raised alarm over what it describes as a growing pattern of judges intimidating lawyers and misusing contempt powers in courtrooms.
In a statement released on Thursday and signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said it had received reports of lawyers being unlawfully detained in separate incidents in Rivers State and Abuja.
The NBA warned that such actions pose a threat to the proper administration of justice.
One of the cases highlighted involved proceedings before the Rivers State High Court, presided over by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu. According to the association, a defence counsel, Mrs Lovinah Benjamin, was allegedly detained after judgment was delivered, following a contempt ruling linked to claims of false statements in a written address.
Another incident cited occurred at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia reportedly ordered the detention of a legal officer at the Federal Medical Centre Keffi, Martin Anyanwu, on March 25, 2026.
The association said it was also disturbed by reports that some lawyers have been subjected to degrading treatment in court, including being forced to kneel or face the wall under threat of contempt.
“These reports are not only frightening but appear to show an increasing intolerance and penchant for abusing judicial powers by some judges,” the statement said.
It added, “These actions of the learned trial judges are not only unfair but are exceedingly high-handed… they fly in the face of the rationale for punishment for contempt, which is to protect the dignity of the court and the administration of justice.”
The NBA stressed that contempt powers must not be used to silence lawyers or suppress legitimate legal arguments.
“It is not a contempt of court to criticise the conduct of a judge… provided that the criticism is fair, temperate, and made in good faith,” the statement noted.
According to the association, where a lawyer’s conduct is considered improper, the correct approach is to refer the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, rather than impose immediate punishment.
“Summary remand in such circumstances is disproportionate and amounts to a denial of fair hearing,” it said.
The NBA maintained that while courts have the authority to protect their dignity, such powers must be exercised with restraint.
“The power to punish for contempt is an extraordinary jurisdiction that must be exercised sparingly… The courtroom must remain a forum of law, not intimidation; of reason, not fear,” the statement added.
The association called for the immediate release of the affected lawyers and urged the Chief Judge of Rivers State to investigate the incident involving Justice Nwogu. It also asked the National Judicial Council to step in where necessary.
It further warned that its branches in Port Harcourt and surrounding areas would boycott proceedings before Justice Nwogu’s court for seven days if the detained lawyer is not released within 24 hours.