By Leo Igwe
My attention has been drawn to an article, Haunted wigs: Lawyers share mysterious courtroom experiences, by Chijioke Iremeka. The article was published in The Punch Newspaper on April 5 2026. The author rightly acknowledged the non-recognition of witchcraft and the use of charms in the Nigerian constitution, while addressing ‘rumours about alleged spiritual attacks on lawyers and the judicial system’. Although the piece claimed to focus on gossip, I am persuaded that the article would misinform the public and reinforce witchcraft and juju beliefs. Most readers would not be observant enough to know that the author was explaining ‘rumours’, not ‘real courtroom experiences’. The purpose of this piece is to dispel those misguided rumours.
In his piece, the author noted that “some lawyers and judges told …(him)…that they faced unusual spiritual attacks while handling certain sensitive cases”. He further alluded to an unidentified lawyer, who made a video clip that went viral on X and Instagram, asking “litigants to stop directing spiritual attacks at opposing lawyers during court proceedings”. He also noted the case of a retired judge in Imo state who stated that events that ‘defied explanation’ unfolded inside and outside courtrooms. The judge said that she had suffered ‘ spiritual attacks and intimidation during court proceedings, but she had always prevailed through her Christian faith”.
The judge recalled an incident that happened while she was presiding over a murder case. At this hearing she “became unusually still and quiet, staring ahead without speaking for a long time” According the judge, for several minutes in the courtroom, she was blank and confused, “I did not know where such a feeling came from, but I was unable to proceed with the case, and I had to adjourn it to a later date”. She attributed this experience to litigants trying to attack practitioners, derail the judges, and distract or weaken their resolve to deliver a fair judgment.
The author noted that while some legal analysts were of the view that the real challenges were threats to life, physical attacks, and other forms of intimidation, as well as bribery and coercion, claims of spiritual interference, ritual practices, unseen forces, and metaphysical influence were pervasive. While noting the view of Deji Adeyanju, who stated that claims of juju or witchcraft were legally untenable, the author shared testimonies of other lawyers recounting their experiences of purported spiritual attacks.
For instance, one Emeke Omogiafo recalled his experiences of ‘spiritual attacks’, especially how he collapsed and later woke up in a hospital while making a submission in court over a land matter. He claimed that the spiritual warfare started at a point when he woke up feeling that someone was pressing his chest. In the course of the trial, the car tyres burst. An interesting thing about Omogiafo’s case was that while a doctor attributed his collapse to low blood pressure, a pastor said it was some spiritual attack. The author highlighted claims by lawyers that spiritual attacks make legal counsel unable to defend their clients or to forget to appear in court during proceedings. One lawyer said he took ill after shaking hands with a person who filed a case against his client.
Meanwhile, law is a respected field and profession. Lawyers are widely respected for their knowledge. They are often described as learned. And let’s be clear, it is learned in matters of law. It is disappointing that many lawyers are not well enough educated. They allow their ‘faith’ to overshadow their legal reasoning, their common sense. As these testimonies have clearly shown, many lawyers make a fundamental mistake. They mix their legal profession with their religious beliefs. In their submissions, many lawyers often commit the argumentum ad verecundiam fallacy; they assume that being learned in matters of law implies that they could authoritatively speak or comment on matters of faith and religion. Incidentally, that is not the case.
From all the testimonies, it is evident that incidents attributed to spiritual attacks are experiences based on fear and ignorance. Spirits are figments of the mind, and do attend or participate in court sessions. The encounters outlined in the article have nothing to do with witchcraft or juju but everything to do with lousy legal infrastructure in the country. Some lawyers are lazy and incompetent. So they come to court unprepared. They are nervous and cannot put up a robust defence of their cases. Now they turn around to attribute their experiences to spiritual attacks. Why won’t spirits attack legal counsels when they do not adequately prepare or study their briefs?
Some lawyers or judges have untreated or poorly managed health problems, including mental health conditions. They should go for a medical check. But they don’t. So what happens? They come to court sick and psychologically indisposed. Some come to court suffering malaria and other ailments. Many lawyers are indigent; they cannot afford treatment. So why won’t they have ‘spiritual attacks’ in court?
Some lawyers, including judges and magistrates, come to court hungry and famished. They attend hearings on an empty stomach, without breakfast. How do they expect not to see ‘spirits’ during court sessions? How do they expect to concentrate and participate during court hearings? Legal counsels drive fairly used cars with worn-out tyres. Why should they be surprised when they have accidents or their tyres burst? Now they claim it is a witchcraft or a juju attack. No, it is not a spiritual attack. It is a poverty attack.
Legal counsels practice evidence-based law and should not be associated with frivolous claims. Law is a ‘noble’ profession and as they say ‘noblesse oblige’ meaning nobility obliges. Lawyers owe the society some obligations. Judges, magistrates and other court officials should not make or enable claims without evidence. All lawyers should join efforts in disenchanting the wigs and in dispelling rumours of juju or witchcraft attacks. They should strive to make claims based on evidence and beyond a reasonable doubt. Claims of spiritual warfare are dubious, doubtful, and superstitious. They are excuses for poverty, ignorance, indolence, ineptitude, lack of diligence, and professionalism in courtrooms.
Leo Igwe, who holds a doctoral degree in religious studies from the University of Bayreuth in Germany, is a board member of Humanists International.
