The Federal High Court in Warri has issued a Form 48 Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to court order against the Delta State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, over alleged procedural misconduct in a pending criminal case.
The notice, dated June 13, 2025, and signed by the court registrar, warns the Attorney-General of possible imprisonment for contempt of court in relation to the prosecution of child rights advocate, Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, in Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022 – Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho.
The action stems from a formal complaint filed by the defendant, alleging that the Delta State Ministry of Justice, through its counsel J.A. Amahi, submitted an unauthorised document to the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court.
The document in question, titled “Further Update on Verification Report in FHC/WR/92C/2022 FRN vs. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho” and dated April 8, 2024, was neither filed nor stamped at the registry, yet it was read aloud in open court on April 18, 2024.
This court noted that the move contravened a prior directive issued on March 21, 2024, which mandated the prosecution to file a verification report on the address of the defendant’s surety, Mr. Phillip Biakpara, through proper channels.
In its contempt notice, the court stated: “Take notice that unless you obey the direction contained in the order of this Honourable Court, or refrain from any act that interferes with the due administration of justice in Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022, you will be guilty of contempt of court and will be liable to be committed to prison.”
The court further emphasised that the informal transmission of the April 8 document constituted a breach of legal protocol and a deliberate attempt to interfere with ongoing proceedings.
“In disobedience of the order of this Honourable Court… this Honourable Court received an unfiled verification titled ‘Further Update on Verification Report…’ through the Deputy Chief Registrar,” the court remarked, calling the act “a flagrant disrespect to judicial process” and “an unlawful attempt to mislead the court and bypass the registry.”
The court therefore warned the Attorney-General to desist from any further actions that may amount to contempt and to take immediate steps to purge himself of the alleged misconduct or risk committal to prison.
The court has fixed June 16 for the continuation of the trial.
