Dramatic Twist: Lawyer jailed for contempt as Adamawa court Sends Counsel for Hudu, Ex-INEC REC to Prison

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a dramatic turn of events, a High Court in Yola has ordered the immediate imprisonment of M.K. Tijjani, the legal counsel to Hudu Ari Yunusa, the sacked Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Adamawa State. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, February 27, 2025, by Justice Benjamin Lawan Manji, sent shockwaves through the courtroom as Tijjani was dispatched to the Yola Correctional Centre for contempt of court.

The incident unfolded during a resumed hearing when Tijjani, in an act described by the judge as “insolence and dishonorable conduct,” refused to comply with basic courtroom protocol.

As the case was called, the lawyer declined to formally announce his appearance, instead turning his back on the bench. When pressed by Justice Manji to identify himself, Tijjani snapped that he was not a party to the case and was merely standing in for another counsel from a previous session. His dismissive response set the tone for a tense confrontation.

This court will not tolerate such flagrant disrespect

Incensed by the lawyer’s defiance, Justice Manji directed Tijjani to shed his legal robe and take the witness box to justify why he should not be held in contempt. However, Tijjani’s unyielding attitude persisted even under scrutiny, prompting the judge to issue the order for his incarceration. “This court will not tolerate such flagrant disrespect,” Justice Manji declared, emphasizing the need to uphold the dignity of judicial proceedings.

Sources close to the court revealed that this was not Tijjani’s first clash with the bench. On January 23, 2025, during an earlier session, he sparked controversy by attempting to record the proceedings on his mobile phone. When Justice Manji intervened, Tijjani boldly argued that no law barred him from doing so, escalating tensions further. He openly challenged the judge’s authority, asserting his right to use his device—an act that nearly derailed the session. It was only through the mediation of Chief L.D. Nzadon, the prosecution counsel, that the situation was diffused, with Nzadon appealing for judicial restraint.

Tijjani begins his stint at the Yola Correctional Centre, questions linger about the broader implications for the ongoing case and the legal team representing the former REC

Thursday’s ruling marks a decisive stance by the court against what it views as a pattern of disruptive behavior. Legal analysts see the decision as a stern warning to practitioners that decorum within the courtroom remains non-negotiable. Tijjani’s imprisonment underscores the judiciary’s resolve to maintain order, particularly in a high-profile case tied to the controversial tenure of Hudu Ari Yunusa, whose dismissal as INEC REC has fueled intense legal and political debates in Adamawa State.

As Tijjani begins his stint at the Yola Correctional Centre, questions linger about the broader implications for the ongoing case and the legal team representing the former REC. For now, the courtroom stands as a battleground where judicial authority has drawn a firm line in the sand.