The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has condemned what it described as rising cases of judicial bullying, accusing some judges of abusing contempt powers to intimidate and unlawfully detain lawyers.
In a statement on Thursday, jointly signed by Mazi Afam Osigwe, President, and Dr. Mobolaji Ojibara, General Secretary, the NBA expressed “utmost shock” over reports from a Rivers State High Court where Justice Chinwendu Nwogu allegedly convicted and ordered the detention of a defence counsel, Mrs Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin, after delivering judgment in a suit involving the Chief of Naval Staff and others.
The association also cited 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 NBA, there have been disturbing accounts of lawyers being subjected to degrading treatment in courtrooms, including being forced to kneel or face the wall under threat of contempt. It warned that such actions undermine the dignity of the legal profession and erode trust in the justice system.
The body stressed that not every act of discourtesy amounts to contempt, noting that criticism of a judge or court—if made in good faith—does not justify punitive measures.
It warned that misuse of contempt powers creates fear in courtrooms and threatens the right of lawyers to represent clients without intimidation.
The NBA argued that where a lawyer’s conduct is questionable, the proper course is referral to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, not summary detention, describing the alleged actions as “high-handed” and an abuse of judicial authority.
The association demanded the immediate release of the affected lawyers, called for investigations by the Rivers State Chief Judge and the National Judicial Council, and threatened a seven-day boycott of proceedings before Justice Nwogu if the detained counsel is not freed within 24 hours.
“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,” NBA said.
