Rivers State Judiciary Defends Judge in Lawyer Contempt Case
The Rivers State Judiciary has issued a detailed response to criticisms surrounding the decision by Justice Chinwendu Nwogu to sentence lawyer Mrs. Lovinah Ugbana Benjamin to three days’ imprisonment for contempt of court.
The controversy erupted following a statement from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), titled “Judges Must Not Bully Lawyers Or Abuse Power To Punish For Contempt As a Tool For Intimidation Of Lawyer.” The NBA expressed concerns about the judge’s handling of the case and called for Mrs. Benjamin’s immediate release, a probe of the judge, and potential disciplinary action if she was not freed within 24 hours.
In a statement signed by Chief Registrar David D. Ihua-Maduenyi, the Rivers State High Court sought to clarify the circumstances of the case. According to the judiciary, Mrs. Benjamin, who represented the defendants, attempted to mislead the court in her final written address by presenting non-existent facts and evidence. When confronted, she admitted the information was false and remained unapologetic.
The statement emphasized that Justice Nwogu followed due process before finding Mrs. Benjamin guilty of contempt. While the law permits up to three months’ imprisonment for such an offense, the judge reduced the sentence to three days after pleas from lawyers.
The judiciary disputed the NBA’s assertion that such matters should always be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), stating this is not a fixed rule. The statement explained that Mrs. Benjamin’s actions constituted contempt committed in the face of the court, which a judge has the authority to punish immediately.
Notably, the statement revealed that Mrs. Benjamin had already been released before the NBA issued its press statement. Leaders of the NBA Port Harcourt Branch had visited the judge, apologized, and requested her release after understanding the full details of the case. Justice Nwogu accepted the apology and signed a production warrant, leading to Mrs. Benjamin’s unconditional discharge that same morning.
The judiciary expressed surprise at the NBA’s position, describing it as harsh and rushed. It suggested that either the full facts were not properly communicated to the NBA’s national body or they chose to ignore them, resulting in an unfair portrayal of the judge.
The statement defended Justice Nwogu, describing him as a respected judge with a clean record and high integrity. While criticizing the NBA’s statement, the judiciary acknowledged the association’s concerns and assured that the working relationship between judges and lawyers in Rivers State remains strong.
“The Bench and the Bar in Rivers State remain veritable partners in the administration of justice,” the statement affirmed, adding that the incident will not damage their relationship.
