A Shari’a Court in Rigasa, Kaduna, on Tuesday April 22, ordered the remand of a woman over phone disturbance in the court
The woman’s phone rang during a court session, disrupting proceedings.
The Presiding judge, Malam Muhammad Adamu, said the action amounted to obstructing the court process.
He ordered that she be charged accordingly and remanded in custody.
The court did not disclose her name
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the phone rang while the court was in full session.
Court officials immediately demanded the phone, but the woman reportedly refused to hand it over.
She later pleaded with the court, saying it was her first time attending a court sitting.
“I didn’t know how the court operates. This is my first time here,” she repeatedly told the judge.
Despite her plea, the judge directed that she be remanded and the phone confiscated.
Following the incident, the court issued a stern warning to all other attendees.
The judge ordered everyone to switch off their phones or face similar consequences.
Court officials also ensured the directive was displayed inside and outside the courtroom.
Reports said a court clerk had earlier made an announcement before the session started.
The announcement instructed everyone to switch off their phones or put them on silent mode.
However, the woman reportedly ignored the instruction.
Court sources said the judge viewed her actions as contemptuous and disruptive.
Observers at the court described the judge’s action as strict but necessary to maintain order.
Legal experts say phones ringing in courtrooms often lead to unnecessary distractions.
They urged the public to take court instructions seriously to avoid embarrassment.
The court is expected to fix a date for her hearing soon.