Although Nigeria’s constitution does not recognise witchcraft or the use of charms, long-standing rumours persist about alleged spiritual attacks on lawyers and the judicial system
In many parts of the world, men in white wigs face undue pressure from political interests, powerful individuals and aggrieved parties while discharging their professional duties.
However, beyond the visible pressures of the courtroom, physical threats and assaults, some lawyers and judges told Sunday PUNCH that they face unusual spiritual attacks while handling certain sensitive cases.
Although diabolism or charms, popularly referred to as juju, have no place in Nigeria’s law and legal system, an unidentified lawyer, in a viral video clip on X and Instagram, while shedding light on such practices, appealed to litigants to stop directing spiritual attacks at opposing lawyers during court proceedings.
His experience became a widely discussed topic among religious and legal communities, where differing opinions were expressed on the place of juju and charms in Nigeria’s legal system.
The lawyer emphasised that lawyers are professionals carrying out their ethical duties and should not be targeted through spiritual means that could undermine justice.
“If you have a problem with someone and the case is already in court, and you still want to report the matter to your ‘juju’, leave the opponent’s lawyer out of it.
“Stop attacking the lawyers spiritually; attack your opponent only. Lawyers are just doing their job,” he said.
The video sparked widespread discussion online, highlighting the prevalence of beliefs in consulting spiritualists to influence court outcomes in Nigeria.
Following this, many Nigerians expressed support for the lawyer’s stance on social media, calling for an end to the practice of targeting lawyers with spiritual attacks, while others treated it with humour.
However, several lawyers who spoke to Sunday PUNCH recounted harrowing experiences they alleged were ‘spiritual attacks’ in the course of their profession.
A strange experience
A retired judge of the Federal High Court in Imo State, who asked to be identified only by her first name, Joyce, said, “Although juju has no place in Nigeria’s legal system, there are moments, both inside and outside the courtroom, when events unfold that simply defy explanation.”
The Imo State-born jurist said that on a few occasions, she had been subjected to what she described as spiritual attacks and intimidation during court proceedings, but she had always prevailed through her Christian faith.
The 76-year-old recounted several experiences during sensitive cases when she began to experience unusual moments.
The mother of three said that on one occasion, she arrived at court as usual, took her seat, and prepared to begin the day’s proceedings. After handling the first case without difficulty, the second became a problem.
“When the second case was called, I was preparing to listen to the submissions, and that was the last case for the day. I became unusually still and quiet, staring ahead without speaking for a long time.
“For several minutes in the courtroom, I 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.
“It was a murder case involving the only male child of his parents. I was lost in thought and struggled to proceed. I knew it wasn’t ordinary; I knew where it was coming from. But the law will always take its course. Litigants try to attack practitioners to derail their minds, but it does not last if you remain strong,” Joyce said.
According to her, such experiences are among the pressures faced by many legal practitioners, but they rarely speak about them because charms and juju have no place in the legal system, and since they cannot be proven, discussing them may appear irrational.
“In Nigeria, where people pray over everything and hold strong beliefs in God and certain ancestral powers, people commit their activities and challenges to prayers, irrespective of the supreme beings they believe in,” she added.
Joyce believed the strange occurrence was linked to spiritual attacks intended to distract or weaken her resolve in delivering a fair judgment.
For her, the experience became a test of faith rather than a moment of defeat. Instead of yielding to external pressures, she became more determined to carry out her judicial responsibilities with integrity and without fear or favour.
‘Spiritual attacks’ under judicial lens
Belief in supernatural intervention is not uncommon in parts of Nigeria, where spirituality and traditional beliefs often intersect with daily life.
Legal analysts often frame such accounts in broader terms. They noted that the real challenge facing judges is the intense pressure associated with high-profile cases, including threats to life, physical attacks, and other forms of intimidation.
Nigeria: Haunted wigs: Lawyers share mysterious courtroom experiences
