Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday directed the counsel for activist Omoyele Sowore to kneel in open court during proceedings in the alleged cyberbullying case instituted by the Department of State Services (DSS).
The order came after defence lawyer Marshall Abubakar repeatedly raised his voice while addressing the court. Justice Umar warned, “If you shout in this court again, I will commit you for contempt. In fact, come here! Come and kneel down here!” The courtroom reacted immediately, with several lawyers pleading for the judge to temper justice with mercy. Senior lawyers, including prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), intervened, and the situation was eventually diffused.
The confrontation followed disagreements over the next hearing date. While the prosecution had formally closed its case and requested that the defence open its case, Abubakar said the defence intended to file a no-case submission and sought an adjournment until July. Kehinde opposed the request, calling it a delay tactic. Justice Umar observed that the defence had spent four days cross-examining a single witness and subsequently fixed April 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses on the no-case submission.
The ruling sparked further tension when Sowore attempted to explain how the scheduled date could affect his party’s primaries. Abubakar, speaking loudly, insisted, “This court belongs to all of us. This court is not for some people alone,” prompting the judge’s threat of contempt and the kneeling directive.