Understanding Defamation: The Risks of ‘Charge and Bail’ Labels

Why Calling a Lawyer ‘Charge and Bail’ Can Be Dangerous

Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong recently alerted Nigerians that it is defamatory to refer to a lawyer as “charge and bail,” a term often used derogatorily to describe certain lawyers.

Effiong emphasized that calling a lawyer this could lead to legal consequences, including a defamation lawsuit, if the lawyer finds it offensive and damaging to their professional reputation.

He highlighted that defamation cases can be pursued when such terms harm a person’s standing within the legal community​.