A lawyer representing the dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Adamawa State, Ari Hudu, has been sentenced to prison for contempt of court. Justice Benjamin Manji of the Adamawa State High Court in Yola found the lawyer, M.K. Tijjani, guilty of disrespectful and dishonorable conduct that undermined the court’s authority.
The incident happened on Thursday during the trial of Hudu, who is facing charges over his controversial declaration of Aishatu Binani as the winner of the 2023 Adamawa governorship election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) later overturned the declaration and officially confirmed Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the winner.
Lawyer Defies Court Orders
During the court hearing, trouble began when Tijjani refused to announce his appearance when the case was called. Instead, he turned his face away in defiance.
Justice Manji asked him again to state his presence, but Tijjani replied dismissively, saying he was not a party to the case and had only appeared in a previous session to represent another lawyer.
The judge, angered by his behavior, ordered him to remove his legal robe and step into the witness box to explain why he should not be held in contempt. Even then, Tijjani maintained his defiant attitude.
Frustrated by his disrespect, the court sentenced him to prison for contempt.
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Previous Clash With the Court
This was not the first time Tijjani had clashed with the court. On January 23, 2025, he was caught trying to record the court session with his mobile phone. When Justice Manji ordered him to stop, he refused and openly challenged the judge.
“Nobody will stop me from recording the proceedings,” Tijjani had declared defiantly.
Despite being reminded that recording court sessions was not allowed, he insisted, “There is no law prohibiting lawyers from recording court proceedings with their mobile phones. Nobody can stop me.”
The situation only calmed down after the prosecution counsel, Chief Leonard Nzadon, intervened and appealed to the judge for patience.
Sent to Jimeta Maximum Prison
Following Thursday’s confrontation, the court wasted no time in enforcing the punishment. Tijjani was immediately taken to Jimeta Maximum Prison, where he will serve his sentence.
Legal experts in the state have described the ruling as a warning against courtroom misconduct. Some have praised the judge for upholding the dignity of the judiciary, while others believe the situation could have been handled differently.
Meanwhile, the trial of Ari Hudu continues, as the court determines his role in the illegal election declaration that sparked controversy in Adamawa State.