The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned a Federal High Court judge for ordering a lawyer to kneel during proceedings in the ongoing cyberbullying trial of Omoyele Sowore.
In a statement released Tuesday and signed by the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, the association stated: “No judge has the power to order a lawyer to kneel in court,” describing the incident as inconsistent with established judicial standards and the rule of law.
The incident reportedly occurred on Monday before Justice Mohammed Umar, when defence counsel Marshall Abubakar raised objections to a proposed hearing date.
The judge allegedly instructed him to “come out of the bar and kneel down”, threatening committal for contempt if he refused.
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Abubakar reportedly declined, asserting that kneeling is not a recognised sanction under Nigerian law.
The situation was eventually de-escalated after intervention by other lawyers, and the court adjourned the matter to April 13.
The NBA described the event as a serious breach of courtroom decorum.
“The courtroom is a temple of justice, governed by law, procedure, and decorum. While judges have authority to maintain order, such powers must be exercised strictly within the law,” the statement read.
The association noted that while courts can punish contempt, such powers are “circumscribed by defined legal procedures designed to ensure fairness, objectivity, and respect for the rights and dignity of all persons.”
The NBA emphasized that a judge directing a lawyer or any person to kneel in court is not a recognised judicial sanction and undermines the dignity of both the legal profession and the courtroom.
At the same time, the NBA called on lawyers to maintain professionalism, asserting that advocacy “must remain within the bounds of courtesy and decorum,” and warned that disagreements with the court must be handled through proper legal channels.
“Mutual respect between the Bench and the Bar is fundamental to the administration of justice,” the association added, urging calm and restraint while confirming its readiness to engage relevant authorities if necessary.
