Tension arose at the Federal High Court of Nigeria after Justice Mohammed Umar ordered a lawyer representing activist Omoyele Sowore to kneel during proceedings, a directive the counsel rejected, insisting it was not recognised under Nigerian law.
The confrontation occurred on Monday, during the ongoing trial of Sowore, who is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over remarks in which he allegedly described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a criminal. The incident took place at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The courtroom tension reportedly began after Sowore’s legal team asked for a longer adjournment following the prosecution’s claim that it had closed its case, a request that appeared to irritate the judge.
During the proceedings, Sowore told the court he intended to continue travelling across Nigeria to mobilise opposition against President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election.
Lead prosecutor Adeolu Kehinde, SAN, quickly moved to interrupt him. At that point, Sowore’s lead counsel, Marshal Abubakar, rose to speak.
According to reports from the courtroom, the lawyer delivered an emotional intervention, arguing that Nigeria’s future depended on the kind of progressive, leftist ideas Sowore represents. He also suggested that the federal government was determined to silence the activist and possibly imprison him to prevent him from participating in the next election cycle.
Justice Umar, who had repeatedly indicated that he did not want further arguments from Abubakar, then lost his temper and ordered the lawyer to step forward and kneel down as punishment for what he described as contempt of court.
However, the counsel refused.
Speaking in what witnesses described as a muffled but persistent tone, Abubakar told the court that kneeling before a judge was unknown to Nigerian law and could not be imposed as a lawful punishment.
His response prompted concern inside the courtroom, with several lawyers rising to appeal to the judge to calm down as tensions escalated.
The judge eventually halted the proceedings and adjourned the matter to April 13, 2026, despite objections from Sowore’s legal team, who argued that the date was inconvenient.
Reacting to the development, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) expressed concern over reports from the courtroom and stressed that ordering a lawyer to kneel is not recognised under Nigerian law.
In a statement signed by its president, Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association said:
“NO JUDGE HAS THE POWER TO ORDER A LAWYER TO KNEEL IN COURT
The Nigerian Bar Association @NigBarAssoc is concerned about reports of an incident that occurred on Monday, 16 March 2026, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, involving Honourable Justice Mohammed Umar and a legal practitioner, Mr. Marshall Abubakar, who appeared as lead defence counsel to Mr. Omoyele Sowore. According to reports, the learned trial judge, in response to counsel raising his voice while addressing the court on the suitability of a hearing date, directed the lawyer to step out of the Bar and kneel down, alongside issuing threats of committal for contempt.”
The NBA added that although judges possess authority to maintain order and discipline in court, such powers must be exercised within the boundaries of the law and established judicial standards.
“The courtroom is a temple of justice, governed by law, procedure and decorum,” the association said.
It further noted that while courts can punish contempt, the process must follow recognised legal procedures designed to ensure fairness and respect for the dignity of everyone involved.
According to the NBA, directing a lawyer or any individual to kneel in court is not a recognised judicial sanction and does not align with the standards expected of judicial conduct.
The association also reminded lawyers of their responsibility to maintain professionalism and respect for the court even during disagreements, urging calm while encouraging that grievances be addressed through appropriate institutional channels.
Ademide Adebayo
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