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Scholars International Journal of Law, Crime and Justice (SIJLCJ)
Volume-9 | Issue-04 | 113-119
Review Article
The Unspoken Verdict: Sexual Assault of Female Lawyers by Colleagues in Nigeria's Legal Practice
Amina Muhammad Bello, Asmau Muhammad Sulaiman, Ijeoma Sonia Udodirim Ozigbu
Published : April 11, 2026
DOI : https://doi.org/10.36348/sijlcj.2026.v09i04.001
Abstract
This article examines the pervasive yet under-documented issue of sexual assault and harassment of female lawyers by their colleagues within the Nigerian legal profession. Despite the profession's role as a custodian of justice, it is rife with significant gender-based discrimination, abuse, and impunity. This study synthesises data from recent empirical reports, analyses the existing legal and regulatory frameworks, and evaluates the cultural and structural factors that perpetuate this problem. Through an examination of landmark cases, such as Ejieke Maduka v Microsoft Nigeria, and the policies of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), this research highlights the profound disconnect between legal ideals and the lived realities of many female practitioners. It finds that a combination of patriarchal societal norms, hierarchical professional structures, economic vulnerability, and inadequate reporting mechanisms creates an environment in which sexual misconduct thrives, and victims are silenced. The research concludes with comprehensive recommendations for legislative, institutional, and cultural reforms to foster a safe, equitable, and just legal profession for all practitioners in Nigeria.
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