Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticised what it described as a growing pattern of judges mistreating lawyers in courtrooms, warning that such actions are being carried out under the pretext of enforcing contempt of court.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a statement on Thursday and jointly signed by its president, Afam Osigwe, and general secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said it has received multiple reports of lawyers being subjected to humiliating treatment.
According to the NBA, some judges have allegedly compelled lawyers to kneel, face walls, or even ordered their detention in circumstances it described as unlawful.
The association referenced a recent incident involving Chinwendu Nwogu, a judge of the Rivers State High Court, who convicted and remanded Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin, counsel to the Nigerian Navy, for “allegedly making false statements and imputations against the court in a written address she filed in the matter”.
It also cited another case where Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court in Abuja directed the detention of Martin Anyanwu, a legal officer with the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, within the court premises on March 25, 2026.
In a separate development, Mohammed Umar, also of the Federal High Court in Abuja, reportedly instructed Marshall Abubakar, lawyer to activist Omoyele Sowore, to kneel during proceedings.
NBA expressed concern that these actions reflect a troubling trend that undermines professional respect within the legal system. It warned that such conduct damages the integrity of the legal profession and weakens the essential balance between the bench and the bar.
“There have been recent reports of lawyers being subjected to degrading and demeaning treatment in courtrooms, including being asked to kneel or stand facing the wall under threat of contempt,” the statement reads.
“Such conduct undermines the dignity of the legal profession and erodes the mutual respect that must define the relationship between the bench and the bar.”
“Indeed, resort to the exercise of power in these manners degrades lawyers and demeans the legal profession. These reports are not only frightening but appear to show an increasing intolerance and penchant for abusing judicial powers by some judges.”
“These actions of the learned trial judges are not only unfair but also exceedingly high-handed. We hereby deprecate them.”
“The actions as well as the procedures adopted by the judges fly in the face of the rationale for punishment for contempt, which is the need to vindicate the dignity of the court and thereby protect due administration of justice.”
“The actions appear to have been taken rather to bolster the power and dignity of each of the judges as an individual.”
“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.”
The association maintained that not every perceived act of disrespect by a lawyer should be treated as contempt of court, stressing the need for restraint and adherence to due process.
As part of its response, the NBA called for urgent intervention, including the immediate release of the detained lawyer and a formal investigation into the Rivers State incident by the chief judge.
“In light of the foregoing, the NBA demands as follows: the immediate release of the affected counsel,” the statement reads.
“That the honourable chief judge of Rivers State immediately investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident and take appropriate administrative action.”
“That appropriate disciplinary steps be taken by the National Judicial Council where necessary.”
“That the remand of Mrs Lovina under the circumstances be condemned and set aside.”
“That all NBA branches in Port Harcourt and its environs and all legal practitioners boycott proceedings before the court of Hon. Justice Nwogu for a period of seven days if Mrs Lovina is not released within 24 hours.”
“The NBA hereby directs the NBA Human Rights Institute to monitor the situation immediately, liaise with relevant authorities, and take all necessary steps to ensure the prompt release of our colleague and the protection of her fundamental rights.”
“We will also engage the National Judicial Council and the National Judicial Institute to address the emerging pattern of judicial overreach, reinforce standards of judicial temperament, and strengthen the institutional relationship between the bench and the Bar.”
