March 17, 2026
Nigerian Bar Association Slams Justice Mohammed Umar for Ordering a Lawyer to Kneel During the Sowore Trial
A shocking courtroom confrontation in Abuja has sparked a national firestorm after a federal judge attempted to force a defense attorney to kneel like a misbehaving schoolchild. During the March 16 trial of activist Omoyele Sowore, Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court lost his patience with lead counsel Marshall Abubakar. Following a heated argument over future hearing dates, the judge pointed to a spot on the floor and barked an order for the lawyer to step out from the bar and kneel down in open court.
The atmosphere in the temple of justice turned cold as the judge threatened Abubakar with contempt of court. It took the frantic intervention of other senior lawyers present to de-escalate the situation and prevent the humiliating order from being carried out. While Justice Umar eventually adjourned the proceedings until April 13 without enforcing the punishment, the damage to judicial decorum was already done.
The Nigerian Bar Association acted swiftly to defend the dignity of the legal profession. President Mazi Afam Osigwe issued a blistering statement clarifying that no judge in Nigeria holds the legal authority to command a legal practitioner to kneel as a form of discipline. The association reminded the bench that while maintaining order is essential, judges must stick to established legal procedures and professional standards rather than resorting to unconventional or degrading measures.
This incident has ignited a fierce debate across Nigeria regarding the temperament of judges handling politically sensitive cases. Many legal experts and citizens view the clash as a sign of deepening friction between the bench and the bar. As the NBA vows to engage with judicial authorities to ensure such a breach of ethics never happens again, the eyes of the international legal community remain fixed on Abuja to see if judicial integrity will be upheld.
