Tensions erupted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday when Justice Mohammed Umar ordered the lawyer representing activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore to kneel in open court, following what the judge described as repeated misconduct.
The drama unfolded during proceedings in the alleged cyberbullying case filed against Sowore by the Department of State Services (DSS) over claims he made against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The confrontation began after defence counsel, Marshall Abubakar, repeatedly raised his voice while addressing the court. Justice Umar warned the lawyer:
“If you shout in this court again, I will commit you for contempt. In fact, come here! Come and kneel down here!”
Several lawyers immediately pleaded for leniency, including prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), who intervened to calm the situation and urged the court to forgive the outburst.
The incident followed disagreements over the next hearing date. While the prosecution had formally closed its case and called on the defence to open theirs, Abubakar said the defence intended to file a no-case submission and requested an adjournment until July. Kehinde opposed the delay, describing it as a tactic to stall proceedings and called for a faster hearing schedule.
Justice Umar noted that the prosecution had conducted its case efficiently, whereas the defence had spent four days cross-examining a single witness. He then fixed April 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses on the no-case submission—a date Abubakar said was inconvenient.
Tensions escalated further when Sowore, speaking from the witness box, tried to explain how the scheduled date could affect his party’s primaries. Meanwhile, his lawyer addressed the court:
“This court belongs to all of us. This court is not for some people alone. It belongs to all of us.”
The judge’s attempts to restore order failed, prompting the threat of contempt and the dramatic kneeling order.
Earlier, the court addressed concerns raised by the prosecution that Sowore had a recording device in the dock. Sowore denied this, explaining that he only had his glasses, phone, and power bank. Justice Umar reminded him that gadgets were prohibited and instructed him to hand over the items.
Abubakar also informed the court that he had been unaware of the sitting until shortly before proceedings and did not have the case file, as he was engaged in another matter. The court initially resisted a brief stand-down but later granted it, allowing him to retrieve the file.
Upon resumption, Abubakar cross-examined Cyril Nosike, the sole DSS prosecution witness, for about two hours, during which several newspaper publications were tendered as exhibits.
Justice Umar adjourned the case to April 13, 2026, for further proceedings.
(NAN)
