Kaduna Shari’a Court Remands Woman Over Phone Disruption During Proceedings

A Shari’a Court sitting in Rigasa, Kaduna, on Tuesday ordered the remand of a female spectator whose phone rang during an ongoing court session.

Presiding Judge, Malam Muhammad Adamu, ruled that the woman be held for obstructing court proceedings and directed that she face appropriate charges.

According to a report by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the incident occurred while the court was in full session.

When her phone rang, the judge ordered her to hand it over to a court official, but she refused.

The woman, whose identity was not disclosed, pleaded with the court, stating that it was her first time attending a court session and that she had only come to observe. “I didn’t know how the court operates; this is my first time in court,” she said repeatedly.

Despite her explanation, the court ruled for her immediate remand and confiscated her mobile phone.

Following the incident, the judge reinforced courtroom protocols by ordering all attendees to ensure their phones were switched off and visibly displayed notices, both inside and outside the courtroom, were referenced.

Court officials confirmed that a clerk had earlier announced to all attendees before the session began to either turn off their phones or place them on silent mode.