SUCCINCTLY put, the phrase contempt of court within the legal parlance describes any act that disrespects, disobeys, interferes with the dignity of a court of law or any behaviour that undermines the administration of justice. Contempt of court is adjudged both locally and internationally to be a criminal offence and can be committed by individuals, parties, lawyers, witnesses or judges themselves. This crime should be discouraged and not be allowed to thrive because it is capable of tainting and threatening the rule of law upon which our nascent democracy stands. This is why anyone found culpable in the act is condignly punished until that quantum of contempt is purged out of him. The punishment ranges from fines to physical confinement in term of imprisonment.
Despite the severity and image-tarnishing effects of the punishment attached to this crime, it is disturbing seeing Nigerians, particularly persons of high calibre in business and public office, imbibing the culture of criminality. We have on record, decided cases of three convicted erstwhile top-notch security officials involved in flagrant flouting of court orders and their respective comeuppance. First and foremost, there was a case of corrupt practice leveled against a suspect by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). It was learnt that a court order passed by the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja was wittingly flouted by the EFCC boss.
As a result, it was ruled that the chairman of the anti-graft agency was in contempt of the order of the court made on November 21, 2018 directing the commission to return to the applicant his Range Rover (Super Charge) and the sum of N40 million; and that Abdulrasheed Bawa should be committed to Prison at Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, for his disobedience of the said order until he purged himself of the contempt. As if that was not enough, same month, same year, came up a similar matter: the Inspector General of Police v. Patrick Okoli, a police officer unlawfully retired by the Nigeria Police. The IGP’s committal was consequent on a suit filed by officer Okoli in the case decided by a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. the court ruled in favour of the police officer and that “the police chief be committed to prison for a period of three months or until his office obeys an order made by the court since October 21, 2011.”
Lastly, on 1st December, 2022, Punch also reported that the Federal High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, ordered that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Farouk Yahaya, should be arrested for contempt. The judge ruled that the COAS be kept in Minna Correctional Custody for contentious of order of the court in October 12, 2022 adding that General Yahaya is to remain in custody till he has been “purged” of the contempt. Without mincing words, it is deductible from foregoing that convicting these high-ranking officers demonstrated the very fact that Nigeria does not tolerate disregard for court orders. Regrettably, the involvements of these high-profile Nigerians in this mess sullied the reputation of their respective offices and underscores the need to urgently look inwards to embark on self-cleansing with a view to stemming the tide of this ugly trend.
I relish the manner the courts have been handling down the committals to erring persons and this emphasizes the fact that no matter how high you are, the law will catch up with you. If this is done, we can jointly beat our chests for having a truly preserved, respected and robust judicial system. Also, this would complement the ,’Renewed Hope Agenda’ of Mr. President.
- Prince Akintibubo writes in from Ile-Ife, Osun State, via [email protected]
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