In a dramatic courtroom scene on Thursday, M.K. Tijjani, the legal representative of dismissed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Ari Hudu, was sentenced to prison for contempt of court by Justice Benjamin Manji of the Adamawa State High Court.
The sentencing follows a series of contentious incidents during the trial of Ari Hudu, who is facing legal scrutiny over his disputed declaration of Aishatu Binani as the winner of the 2023 Adamawa governorship election.
The decision, initially made by Hudu, was later overturned by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declaring Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party as the rightful winner.
During proceedings, Tijjani, known for his confrontational approach, refused to acknowledge his presence in court when called upon by Justice Manji.
His blatant disregard for court decorum and repeated insolence toward the judge provoked immediate action.
Justice Manji, visibly angered by Tijjani’s conduct, ordered him to step into the witness box and explain his behavior.
Despite this, Tijjani persisted in his disrespectful demeanor, leading to his swift conviction for contempt of court.
Tijjani’s defiance did not come as a surprise to courtroom observers.
Earlier this year, during a January session, he was reprimanded for attempting to record court proceedings on his mobile phone, despite explicit instructions against such actions.
His disregard for judicial norms and insistence on recording proceedings further exacerbated tensions during that hearing.
Reacting to Tijjani’s latest display of contempt, Chief Leonard Nzadon, the prosecution counsel, intervened to restore order and appealed to Justice Manji for restraint.
Nevertheless, Justice Manji upheld the sanctity of the court and promptly sentenced Tijjani to serve time at the Jimeta Maximum Prison.
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