A disturbing incident of physical assault on a legal practitioner by a court staff has rocked the legal community in Imo State, prompting swift condemnation and action from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch.
Anosike Olachi Madonna, Esq., a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, recounted a humiliating ordeal she suffered on Friday, 20th June 2025, at the Owerri North Magistrate Court, currently sitting at Awaka. In a detailed account made public shortly after the incident, the young lawyer narrated how she was assaulted and demeaned by court staff while discharging her professional duties.
“Dear Learned Silks, Seniors, and Colleagues,” her statement began. “I write to bring to the attention of the legal community in Owerri and beyond, a deeply unfortunate and humiliating incident that occurred today, the 20th of June, 2025, at the Owerri North Magistrate Court currently sitting at Awaka.”
She described how upon arriving at the court, she was informed that Magistrate Court 2 would not be sitting due to the transfer of the Magistrate. While waiting for the Court Registrar to file a process, she noted the Registrar had not arrived even by 10:30 am.
“I asked some staff members if it was usual for the Registrar to report late. They responded, somewhat sarcastically, ‘say it louder,’ confirming it was a recurring issue,” she stated.
When the Assistant Registrar, Mrs. Emenike Chinwe Augustine, eventually arrived nearly 49 minutes after being contacted, Madonna proceeded to file her documents. She politely pointed out an omission concerning payment for an exhibit. That was when, according to her, the situation escalated.
“She began shouting at me. I calmly responded that it was still within time to make the correction, to which she rudely replied that she had finished the assessment and there was nothing more she could do. I said, ‘Madam, don’t be rude.’”
What followed shocked everyone present.
. “Immediately, Mrs. Emenike Chinwe Augustine physically grabbed me by the neck area of my black dress, rumpled it, and attempted to engage in a physical altercation. She verbally assaulted me, shouting that she had daughters my age at home. Court staff had to intervene to pull her away from me.”
In the course of the scuffle, Madonna’s gold chain was broken and she sustained visible scratches on her neck — all in the presence of her clients.
As if that wasn’t enough, another court staff, Miss Immaculate Chukwu, reportedly joined in verbally assaulting the lawyer, repeatedly referencing her age and claiming to have a daughter of similar age studying law.
“Both staff members hurled demeaning and derogatory comments at me, attempting to diminish me based on age and gender, rather than uphold the respect and dignity that lawyers deserve within court premises,” she lamented.
She concluded:
“This unprovoked and shameful act of assault and misconduct by public officers of the court is not only a violation of my person, but an affront to the dignity of the Bar and the sanctity of the court. I will also be taking further steps to seek redress through the appropriate legal and professional channels.”
The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, responded swiftly and strongly to the incident. In a statement signed by its Secretary, Daniel Odiba, ACArb., and issued the same day, the Branch expressed deep outrage over the attack.
“The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, has received with deep concern and outrage the report of the physical assault and other forms of abuse meted out to a member of the Branch, Anosike Olachi Madonna, Esq., earlier today, 20th June 2025, within the premises of the Owerri North Magistrate Court, sitting at Awaka,” the statement read.
“According to the account, the said Legal Practitioner, while attempting to file court processes, was physically assaulted by Mrs. Emenike Chinwe Augustine, Assistant Registrar of the court. The assault reportedly included an aggressive and physical attack, accompanied by verbal abuse.”
The Branch described the incident as “a reprehensible affront not only to the person of Anosike Olachi Madonna, Esq., but also to the dignity of the legal profession, and the principles of civility and decorum that must govern all judicial environments.”
Declaring zero tolerance for such conduct, the statement warned:
“The NBA Owerri Branch condemns, in the strongest terms, this disgraceful conduct and views it as an attack on the entire Bar. The Branch will not fold its arms while its members are subjected to intimidation, harassment, or physical assault within the precincts of the court or anywhere else at all.”
The Chairman of the Branch, Chief Chris Ihentuge, has accordingly “directed the immediate constitution of a Fact-Finding Committee to investigate the incident and make appropriate recommendations for immediate further action.”
Reaffirming its commitment to protect its members, the NBA declared:
“The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, remains resolute in its mandate to protect the rights and safety of its members and to uphold the integrity and dignity of the legal profession.”
The shocking incident has sparked widespread outrage and renewed debate across legal circles in Imo State, with many lawyers demanding accountability and urging the Judiciary to discipline erring court staff. With a fact-finding committee now in motion and potential legal action underway, the legal community waits with bated breath to see whether justice will be served — not just for Anosike Olachi Madonna, but for the integrity of the profession itself.
Bibncollar.com gathers that lawyers across various NBA platforms have reacted in different, aggrieved ways, with many describing the incident as part of a troubling and recurring pattern at the Owerri North Magistrate Court. One lawyer lamented: “It’s really appalling. Go to the registry for the staff to discharge their duties and provide the services for which they were employed and paid, they begin to dictate how much they will charge you as if they are in private practice or business.” Another female lawyer stated flatly, “Let’s not even talk about this court. There is a lot to say.”
Still, another female colleague recalled, “I had a similar experience few days ago at Justice Ekezie’s court, a court clerk insulted me because of cause list.” One lawyer went further: “Last time, one of them went as far as tearing a lawyer’s dress and drove off with her wig and gown! Today she’s abroad with her family and nobody did anything. It’s worse with the elderly staff, always quick to remind you that they have your age mates at home.”
A male lawyer quipped, “Owerri North Magistrate Court is always on the front page,” while another shared his own ordeal: “I suffered this kind thing at High Court Iho; verbally assaulted in front of my client by Clerk Emmanuel calling me a mad man. I petitioned to the Chief Registrar for a disciplinary action and there was no response up until I made a reminder; and the response I got was that she has been disciplined, but there was no apology from him. I wouldn’t mind attaching the documents here.”
Additionally, bibncollar.com can authoritatively report that the second court staff involved in the fracas, Mrs. Immaculate Chukwu, is already facing disciplinary proceedings, having previously been issued a query for persistent lateness and for keeping both the Magistrate and lawyers stranded due to her possession of the office keys.
As more accounts emerge, this incident has become a lightning rod for pent-up frustration over the persistent culture of impunity and misconduct by court staff — a reckoning that many believe is long overdue.
A story of courage, wonder, and the transformative power of self-belief; perfect for readers aged 10+ who love adventure. To place order: +234 806 130 3237 | +234 803 582 0870 OR Tap the link to grab a copy:https://www.zeekapublish.com/product/the-magical-life-of-anna
