Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of Federal High Court,
Lagos, on Wednesday jailed an American for
operating her mobile phone in court.
Megan Chapman, Co – Executive Director,
Community Legal Support Initiative was locked up by
the judge at the court's waiting cell for about 10
minutes, after an angry Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia
walked her out.
The American who was seated at the last bench,
directly facing the judge, did not know that Justice
Ofili-Ajumogobia was noticing her 'romance' with
her phone.
Having asked her to leave the court, Justice Ofili-
Ajumogobia directed her support staff to escort the
American to the waiting cell, where she stayed for
about 20 minutes.
She later ordered her release following appeals from
lawyers in court.
Confirming the incident, Chapman said she has
learnt her lessons, adding that her action was not
intentional.
She said: "I was replying an urgent message. It was
not like I intentionally disrespected the court but I
have learnt my lessons. I have apologised to the
court for my action.
"The prison officers were kind to and treated me well
in the short period I was there."
Asked what brought her to court, Chapman said she
came in respect of a fundamental rights suit her
group filed against the Ojora of Lagos, Chief Abdul
Fatai Aromire.
The case marked FHC/L/CS/346 was instituted by
the NGO on behalf of residents of Badia East in
Apapa-Iganmu LCDA, who were not parties nor
represented in suit LD/443/2002 decided by the
Supreme Court.
The affected residents have allegedly been terrorised
and threatened with demolition by Chief Aromire,
who they claimed brandishes the Apex Court
judgment to extort money from or dispossess them
of their lands.
At the time this reporter left the court, the matter,
which was slated for mention, was yet to be called.
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