“The Temple of Justice Is Not a Boxing Ring” — LPDC Suspends Lawyer 2 Years for Assaulting Colleague in Open Court
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has suspended a lawyer, M.K. Gurumyen, from practising law for two years after finding him guilty of infamous conduct and professional misconduct arising from the assault of fellow lawyer, John M. Yuwa, Esq., in open court.
The decision was delivered on September 28, 2026, in Case No. BB/LPDC/736/2021, John M. Yuwa v. Kingsley Mukna’an Gurumyen.
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According to a statement made available to BarristerNG by Yuwa following the decision, the incident occurred on September 23, 2021, while he was making submissions before the Chief Magistrate Court in Gombe.
Yuwa said he was physically assaulted by Gurumyen during the court proceedings, sustaining injuries to his mouth which required medical attention, including scans, stitches and prolonged treatment.
The lawyer said he chose to pursue the matter through the legal and disciplinary process rather than retaliate physically.
“I did not fight back. I chose the law over violence. I chose due process over self-help,” Yuwa stated.
Read the Full Statement below
THE TRUTH SPOKE AND IT IS LOUD FOR ALL LAWYERS TO HEAR
PRESS STATEMENT BY JOHN YUWA, ESQ.
Today, the 28th day of September, 2026, in Case No. BB/LPDC/736/2021 between John M. Yuwa V. Kingsley Mukna’an Gurumyen, the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) found Mr. M.K Gurumyen guilty of infamous conduct and professional misconduct for assaulting me while I was making my submissions before the Court, and suspended him from practicing law for 2 years.
For five years, I have waited for this day. On the 23rd day of September, 2021, while discharging my duty as a legal practitioner before the Chief Magistrate Court in Gombe, I was physically assaulted by a fellow counsel, M.K Gurumyen, Esq. in open court, leading to severe injuries inside and outside my mouth which required scans, stitches and prolonged treatment.
I did not fight back. I chose the law over violence. I chose due process over self-help.
Today, the LPDC has vindicated that choice. The truth has spoken and it is loud for all lawyers to hear – that the temple of justice cannot be turned into a boxing ring, that advocacy is by learning and not by fisticuffs, and that the dignity of the legal profession must be protected at all costs.
Mr. M.K Gurumyen and all lawyers with similar intent should know and learn that to satisfy your client, you do not need to be hostile to your fellow counsel. It is only in the character of a dog to be violent to an opponent.
It is also important to note that clients are not our friends. They come only for our services and leave after obtaining same. However, any choice made by a lawyer in pursuing a cause of that client may bear a lasting impact on his career. The suspension of Mr. Gurumyen should be a lesson for his ilks.
I express my profound and sincere appreciation to:
1. The Nigerian Bar Association, Gombe Branch, the Jewel Bar, ably led at the time by its Chairman and Executives, who did not only condemn the barbaric act unequivocally but personally took me to the Specialist Hospital, Gombe for emergency treatment and paid my medical bills.
2. Our learned colleague, Mrs. Remalia Solomon, State Prosecuting Counsel, and Mr. Umeadi Thomas, O/C Legal, Gombe State Police Command, for their prompt intervention.
3. All members of the Jewel Bar who were present at the hospital, including Rabi’u Ayuba, Esq., Mrs K.K Jumo, Raphael Obotidem, Esq. and others, and every lawyer across Jos Branch and beyond who stood by me throughout the period of treatment and while prosecuting this matter at the LPDC.
Your solidarity has kept me strong. You have shown that an injury to one is an injury to all.
I thank the LPDC for its courage and fidelity to the ethics of our noble profession. This decision is not about me, John Yuwa. It is about the sanctity of the courtroom and the safety of every lawyer who appears to make submissions for his client.
The law has taken its course.
Thank you.
John Yuwa, Esq.
(Legal Practitioner)
Jos, Plateau State.
08167659646.
28th September, 2026.
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