By Attah Ede
A High Court sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, presided over by Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji on Thursday sent M.K. Tijjani, lawyer to ex- Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner in Adamawa State, Hudu Ari Yunusa, to prison for contempt of court.
The Judge said Tijjani action was a clear demonstration of “insolence and dishonorable conduct” during court proceedings and should be remanded in Yola correctional facility.
At the resumed hearing of the case, Tijjani refused to announce his appearance when the matter was called and instead turned away from the judge.
When prompted to introduce himself, he retorted that he was not a party to the case, adding that he had only held a brief for another counsel at the previous sitting.
Tijani action angered the court, thereby prompting Justice Manji to order him to remove his robe and step into the witness box to explain why he should not be held in contempt.
However, while in the witness box, Tijjani maintained the same stance, leading the judge to commit him to prison for contempt.
It was learnt that this is not the first time Tijjani has clashed with the court.
During an earlier proceeding on January 23, 2025, he attempted to record the session with his mobile phone.
When Justice Manji intervened and ordered him to stop, the lawyer insisted that no law prohibited him from recording the proceedings.
The courtroom descended into further tension as Tijjani openly challenged the judge’s authority, claiming that no one could prevent him from using his phone.
It took the intervention of Chief L.D. Nzadon, counsel to the prosecution, to pacify the situation, urging the judge to exercise restraint.
With Thursday’s ruling, the court has now made it clear that it will not tolerate any act of disrespect or defiance within its chambers.
