NBA Disagrees With Judge Over Order For Sowore’s Lawyer To Kneel Down In Court

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed displeasure with the manner Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja handled the behaviour of a lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, in court.

The NBA, in a statement on Tuesday by its President, Afam Osigwe, submitted that there must be mutual respect between the bench and the bar.

Naija News reports that the controversy begun when Justice Umar, ordered Abubakar, the counsel to activist Omoyele Sowore, to kneel in open court.

The incident occurred during proceedings in the alleged cyberbullying case instituted against Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS) on Monday.

Umar issued the directive after the defence counsel repeatedly raised his voice while addressing the court. At the height of the tension, Justice Umar warned the lawyer against further outbursts and ordered him forward before other lawyers present in court quicly intervened to deescalate the tension.

However, Osigwe warned the Judge against bringing the legal profession to direpute with such actions.

He submitted that there are established ways to handle such such matters, stating clearly that no judge has the power to order a lawyer to kneel in court.

“A judge directing a legal practitioner or indeed any person whatsoever to kneel in court is not a recognised judicial sanction under our laws and does not align with the standards of judicial conduct expected on the Bench.

“The dignity of the court must be preserved not only in outcome but also in process, and this includes the manner in which judicial authority is exercised. 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 way of conducting proceedings for such allegations,” he said.

The NBA president also called on lawyers to conduct themselves with restraint, professionalism, and respect for the court at all times.

The senior lawyer said that disagreements with the court, no matter how strongly felt, must be expressed through proper legal channels and not in a manner that disrupts proceedings or undermines the authority of the court.

“The legal profession thrives on a delicate but essential balance, one rooted in mutual respect between the Bar and the Bench. This relationship is fundamental to the administration of justice and must be jealously guarded,” he said.