Sowore’s lawyer allegedly ordered to kneel in court, NBA says Judges have no power to issue such directives

The lawyer representing human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, Marshall Abubakar, was allegedly ordered to kneel in a Federal High Court, Abuja, during proceedings, prompting condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over what it described as a breach of legal and professional standards.

According to the NBA, the incident reportedly occurred on Monday when Abubakar appeared as lead defence counsel for Sowore. The trial judge, Justice Mohammed Umar, allegedly issued the directive after the lawyer raised his voice while addressing the court over the suitability of a hearing date. The judge was also said to have threatened committal proceedings for contempt.

Speaking on Tuesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe expressed serious concern over the matter, insisting that no Nigerian judge has the power under law to order a legal practitioner to kneel in court.

“The courtroom is a temple of justice, governed by law, procedure and decorum. While judges are vested with the authority to maintain order and discipline in their courts, such authority must be exercised strictly within the bounds of the law and established judicial standards,” the NBA statement read.

The association acknowledged that judges can punish contempt but stressed that the exercise of such powers is strictly governed by legal procedures designed to safeguard fairness and the dignity of persons appearing before the court.

NBA officials highlighted that directing a lawyer or any person to kneel is not a recognised judicial sanction in Nigeria and falls outside the standards of judicial conduct expected of members of the bench.

“The dignity of the court must be preserved not only in its decisions but also in the process by which judicial authority is exercised,” the statement added. “If a judge is of the view that a person has acted in a manner that is contemptuous of the court, the judge must follow the accepted legal procedure for addressing such allegations.”

The association concluded by urging all members of the judiciary to ensure that courtroom discipline is enforced within the law, warning that actions that compromise the integrity of legal proceedings undermine public confidence in the justice system.