NO JUDGE HAS THE POWER TO ORDER A LAWYER TO KNEEL IN COURT
The Nigerian Bar Association is concerned about reports of an incident that occurred on Monday, 16 March 2026, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, involving Honourable Justice Mohammed Umar and a legal practitioner, Mr. Marshall Abubakar, who appeared as lead defence counsel to Mr. Omoyele Sowore @sowore. According to reports, the learned trial judge, in response to counsel raising his voice while addressing the court on the suitability of a hearing date, directed the lawyer to step out of the Bar and kneel down, alongside issuing threats of committal for contempt.
The NBA views this development with utmost seriousness, given its implications for the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of the courtroom.
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 power to punish for contempt is well recognised; however, it is circumscribed by defined legal procedures designed to ensure fairness, objectivity, and respect for the rights and dignity of all persons appearing before the court.
A judex 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.
We reiterate that legal practitioners bear a corresponding duty to conduct themselves with restraint, professionalism, and respect for the court at all times. While lawyers are entitled, indeed obligated, to advocate firmly and fearlessly on behalf of their clients, such advocacy must always be exercised within the bounds of courtesy and decorum. 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.
The NBA calls for calm and restraint on all sides and urges that any grievances arising from courtroom incidents be addressed through appropriate institutional and disciplinary mechanisms. Where necessary, the Association will engage with relevant authorities to ensure that the rule of law, professional standards, and judicial ethics are upheld.
Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN
President, Nigerian Bar Association
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@IlirAliu_ Count me in as an honorary member of the "assemble the future" squad. What's the first project or rabbit hole you're dragging people into right now? Drop it — let's see who else shows up ready to build. 🚀🤖
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@World_Affairs11 Abeg, let’s be careful with these headlines. 🛑 The US restricted us starting Jan 1st, not the other way around. Nigeria hasn't officially banned US nationals yet. Let's not spread panic while we’re already dealing with enough stress from the visa news. 🇳🇬 #Nigeria#USVisa
I am the CEO of a $6.7 billion fintech company.
Last year I replaced 700 customer service workers with AI.
I called it "the future of work."
The future arrived.
It's worse.
In 2023, we stopped hiring entirely.
I announced it on stage.
People applauded.
Applause is how you know you've made a mistake.
We partnered with OpenAI.
I said "AI can already do all of the jobs that we, as humans, do."
I said this publicly.
Into a microphone.
With my whole chest.
We saved $10 million.
I put that in the press release.
Press releases are how you celebrate before the consequences arrive.
Our employee count went from 5,500 to 3,400.
I called it "efficiency."
Efficiency is when you fire people and the stock goes up.
For a while.
The AI handled customer complaints.
Customers complained about the AI.
It couldn't do nuance.
It couldn't do empathy.
It couldn't do angry customers yelling about missed payments at 2 AM.
Turns out those are the only customers who call.
I started getting emails.
From customers.
About the AI.
The AI was hallucinating payment plans that don't exist.
It told one customer their refund was "processing in the astral realm."
I don't know what that means.
Neither did the customer.
They posted it on Twitter.
It went viral.
Not the good kind of viral.
The kind where Congress starts asking questions.
My VP of Customer Experience scheduled a meeting.
She asked if we could "reintroduce human elements."
Human elements means people.
People I fired.
I said we'd "explore hybrid solutions."
Hybrid solutions means admitting we were wrong.
Without using the word "wrong."
I did an interview with Bloomberg.
I said "there will always be a human if you want."
A human if you want.
Like it's a topping.
Like empathy is extra cheese.
I announced a new hiring initiative.
We're bringing back customer service workers.
But not as employees.
As gig workers.
From home.
No benefits.
No stability.
Like Uber.
But for apologizing.
I called it "flexible human infrastructure."
That's not a real thing.
But it sounds like one.
The workers we fired are now contractors.
Doing the same job.
For less money.
With no healthcare.
I called it "the evolution of the customer experience."
Evolution means we broke something and fixed it worse.
But the word sounds forward-thinking.
We spent $10 million to save $10 million.
And ended up with angry customers, viral tweets, and a gig economy call center.
I'm doing a keynote at Davos next month.
The topic is "AI Transformation: Lessons in Leadership."
I haven't learned any lessons.
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That's the same thing.
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@DavidHundeyin 1/2. The government ordinarily should have such whistle blowing, but she will never invest to oppose herself!
Hence, International development Partners comes to invest in such local intelligence gatherings to pressure the same Government to do their job of securing her citizens!
@DavidHundeyin Not everything is bad! There is such thing as EWER (Early Warning- Early Response) Initiatives!
Lots of external NGOs have trained local community groups on ways to report such incidence through secure channels so that it can be escalated for appropriate action! It's Local!
@DavidHundeyin Not everything is bad! There is such thing as EWER (Early Warning- Early Response) Initiatives!
Lots of external NGOs have trained local community groups on ways to report such incidence through secure channels so that it can be escalated for appropriate action! It's Local!
@DavidHundeyin 1/2. The government ordinarily should have such whistle blowing, but she will never invest to oppose herself!
Hence, International development Partners comes to invest in such local intelligence gatherings to pressure the same Government to do their job of securing her citizens!
@DavidHundeyin Not everything is bad! There is such thing as EWER (Early Warning- Early Response) Initiatives!
Lots of external NGOs have trained local community groups on ways to report such incidence through secure channels so that it can be escalated for appropriate action! It's Local!