The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has accused some judges of abusing contempt powers to intimidate lawyers in courtrooms across the country.
In a statement signed on Thursday by NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, the association said it had received reports of unlawful detention of lawyers in separate incidents in Rivers State and Abuja.
The NBA emphasized that the condemnation aims to protect the integrity of the legal profession, safeguard lawyers’ rights, and uphold due process in the administration of justice.
The NBA cited Suit No. PHC/301/2016, Mr. Bodiseowei Zidougha v. The Chief of Naval Staff & 2 Ors, before the Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu, where the court allegedly ordered the detention of the defence counsel following judgment.
Another case involved Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who reportedly ordered the detention of Martin Anyanwu, a legal officer with the Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, in the court’s holding facility on March 25, 2026.
According to the NBA, recent reports also indicate that some lawyers have been subjected to degrading treatment in courtrooms, including being ordered to kneel or stand facing 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 association said.
The NBA stressed that actions taken by the judges in these cases were high-handed and contrary to the intended purpose of contempt powers, which is to protect the dignity of the court and ensure proper administration of justice.
The association warned that contempt powers must not be used to intimidate lawyers or suppress legitimate advocacy. “It is not contempt of court to criticise the conduct of a judge or a court, even if such criticism is strongly worded, provided it is fair, temperate, and made in good faith,” the statement added.
The NBA demanded the immediate release of the affected lawyers and called on the Chief Judge of Rivers State to investigate the incident involving Justice Nwogu. It also urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take disciplinary action where necessary.
The association further warned that NBA branches in Port Harcourt and neighbouring areas would boycott proceedings before Justice Nwogu’s court for seven days if the detained lawyer was not released within 24 hours.
“Where a court considers the conduct of a lawyer improper, the proper procedure is to refer the matter to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee rather than resorting to summary punishment,” the NBA concluded.
