10 THINGS YOU MUST NEVER SAY TO A JUDGE OR IN COURT
...Unless You Want To Sleep In A Cell Tonight
Some people walk into a courtroom carrying a level of boldness that the law simply cannot accommodate. If you think the courtroom is a place to flex your street credibility or express your unfiltered emotions, you are in for a very rude awakening.
The courtroom is a temple of justice. It operates on absolute order, rigid authority, and extreme respect. If you say any of the following things in a Nigerian court, you are opening a direct doorway to immediate arrest for Contempt of Court.
Here is a breakdown of what you must never let cross your lips in front of a Judge.
1. "This court is wasting my time."
The Reality: The court does not waste time. You are a guest in its house.
Under Section 133 of the Criminal Code Act, any conduct or language that intentionality insults or disrespects a judicial officer while sitting in a proceeding constitutes contempt.
2. "I know the Judge personally."
The Reality: If you actually know the Judge, keep it an absolute secret.
READ ALSO: Why Peter Obi May Never Rule Nigeria — Charles Awuzie
Announcing a personal relationship with a presiding judge in open court compromises their neutrality. It forces a dramatic halt to proceedings, triggers an immediate application for the Judge to recuse (step down) from the case, and can earn you a swift contempt charge for attempting to compromise judicial integrity.
3. "This judgment is rubbish."
The Reality: Discrediting a ruling in open court is a catastrophic mistake.
In the landmark case of Agbachom v. The State, the Supreme Court of Nigeria made it clear that attacking or undermining judicial authority within court proceedings is heavily punishable. If you are dissatisfied with a ruling, the law provides a civilized route: you appeal the judgment. You do not make careless, emotional statements.
4. "I'll take this matter to the press."
The Reality: Threatening a sitting Judge with media exposure will backfire instantly.
Trying to influence ongoing proceedings through external media pressure triggers the rule of sub judice. Nigerian courts hold an inherent jurisdiction to protect the administration of justice from media blackmail, and making this threat can lead straight to jail time.
5. "Can we just settle this outside right now?"
The Reality: You cannot hold an impromptu auction for justice mid-trial.
Attempting to negotiate a private settlement right in the middle of active proceedings without first seeking the official leave (permission) of the court is seen as a deliberate attempt to frustrate the judicial process. Court time is public time—you cannot manipulate it on a whim.
6. "With all due respect, My Lord, you are wrong."
The Reality: The phrase "with all due respect" is not a magical shield. It does not protect you from the insult that follows it. If you believe a legal error has occurred, your lawyer knows how to politely frame an objection or note it down for an appeal. Telling a Judge flatly that they are wrong is plain insolence.
CHECK OUT ALSO: Nze Ukwu Ugezu J. Ugezu: Marriage Greed Replaces Tradition
7. "I don't recognize the authority of this court."
The Reality: This is the quickest way to test the physical reality of a prison cell.
Refusing to acknowledge the court's power is a direct form of contempt in facie curiae (contempt in the face of the court). Under Section 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), superior courts have the inherent power to maintain their dignity by committing you to prison on the spot.
8. "My God is my Judge, not you."
The Reality: Your religious convictions are deeply respected outside, but the secular law rules the courtroom.
Invoking divine authority to explicitly override or mock judicial authority is highly contemptuous. Nigerian jurisprudence has established that the constitutional rule of law supersedes personal religious outbursts during legal proceedings. On a Monday morning, it is the Judge who signs your bail condition—not your pastor or imam.
9. "I'll sue you, My Lord."
The Reality: This threat displays massive legal illiteracy.
Under well-established common law principles integrated into Nigerian law, judges enjoy absolute judicial immunity. They cannot be personally sued in a civil court for actions or decisions made in their official judicial capacity. Threatening a Judge with a lawsuit is both insulting and legally impossible.
HAVE YOU READ: How Young Entrepreneurs can Apply for Promise Reginald Foundation
10. "This country is not serious."
The Reality: The Judge might secretly agree with you about the state of the nation, but saying it out loud while your matter is being heard is a fatal error. It disrupts the decorum of the court and shows total disregard for the very institution handling your legal fate.
The Consequences of Contempt
Contempt of court is a serious offense that can be dealt with summarily (on the spot) by the presiding Judge.
It carries immediate penalties:
Immediate committal to a correctional facility (prison)
Heavy fines levied at the total discretion of the court
Severe professional sanctions (including suspension or disbarment) if the offender is a lawyer.
The Bottom Line
The law does not drink Panadol for your emotional headaches. The law is entirely objective and emotionless. When you step past the threshold of a courtroom, leave your pride, your anger, and your social media boldness at the gate. Bring your common sense, follow the instructions of your legal counsel, and let the law handle the rest.
Written by Emmanuella Chinenye Ogwale
Viral Article Publications on Gossiphome TV for Law Enlightenment
Post a Comment