Section 133 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria. Contempt of court

Any person who‐

(1) within the premises in which any judicial proceeding is being had or taken, or within the precincts of the same, shows disrespect, in speech, or manner, to or with reference to such proceeding, or any person before whom such proceeding is being had or taken; or

(2) having been called upon to give evidence in a judicial proceeding, fails to attend or, having attended, refuses to be sworn or to make an affirmation, or, having been sworn or affirmed, refuses without lawful excuse to answer a question, or to produce a document, or prevaricates, or remains in the room in which such proceeding is being had or taken, after the witnesses have been ordered to leave such room; or

(3) causes an obstruction or disturbance in the course of a judicial proceeding; or

(4) while a judicial proceeding is pending, makes use of any speech or writing, misrepresenting such proceeding, or capable of prejudicing any person in favour of or against any party to such proceeding, or calculated to lower the authority of any person before whom such proceeding is being had or taken; or

(5) publishes a report of the evidence taken in any judicial proceeding which has been directed to be held in private; or

(6) attempts wrongfully to interfere with or influence a witness in a judicial proceeding, either before or after he has given evidence, in connection with such evidence; or

(7) dismisses a servant because he has given evidence on behalf of a certain party to a judicial proceeding; or

(8) re‐takes possession of land from any person who has recently obtained possession by a writ of court; or

(9) commits any other act of intentional disrespect to any judicial proceeding, or to any person before whom such proceeding is being had or taken,

is guilty of a simple offence and liable to imprisonment for three months.

Section 133 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria

Act structure