*Lawyers express mixed feelings
*NBA NEC did not direct lawyers to boycott Abang’s court – Oduah
More revelations has emerged on why Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, slammed a mild punishment on a lawyer, simply identified as Stanley Chukwu.
Investigation carried out by our Chief Correspondent revealed that some lawyers gathered themselves around the court and were making noise while proceedings was ongoing before the court.
Justice Abang, who found it difficult to continue with the proceedings, sent his registrar twice to warn the lawyers against the infamous act, but they ignored the warning and went ahead to make more noise to disrupt the proceedings.
It was at this point that the judge asked his orderly to arrest anyone found making a noise on the corridor of the court despite the court registrar’s warning.
Someone was, therefore, arrested while others ran away. When brought before the judge, it was discovered that the arrested person was a lawyer.
Justice Abang further expressed disappointment over the conduct of the lawyer, saying he was shock that a lawyer, who is aware of contempt of court, could behave in such a manner.
It was at this point that the judge, rather than send him to prison, decided to warn him and asked him to go and sin no more.
Noise-making while proceeding is ongoing in the courtroom is a contempt in the face of the law.
Lawyers react
Meanwhile, mixed reactions have trailed the development. While some lawyers lauded the judge for allowing the errant lawyer to go home and sin no more, some said that the judge ought to send him to prison for contempt.
Commenting on the matter, an Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Festus Ike, said it was absurd that a lawyer who has been called to the Bar will make noise around the court while proceeding is ongoing.
One of the senior lawyers who sought anonymity said: “Yes the conduct of the lawyer was a clear contempt in the face of the court which under section 133/4&9 of Criminal Code Laws of the Federation where the judge is the complainant prosecutor and remains the honourable judge.
“Asking him to go home for me was mild. Charity they say begins at home. If lawyers that know the implication of making noise around the court can go as low as doing that, then what do they expect the lay people to do?”, he wondered.
He added that rather than crucifying the judge, lawyers should commend him for allowing him to go home as a free person than being remanded in prison for three months.
Meanwhile, the NBA National Executive Council has reportedly asked lawyers to boycott Justice Abang’s Court.
But the NBA General Secretary, Mrs Joyce Oduah, in her reaction, debunked the allegations saying that, “NBA NEC did not resolve that Lawyers should boycott Justice Abang’s Court in Warri”.
