NBA Condemns Judge's Order for Lawyer to Kneel in Court

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticized a federal high court judge, Justice Moham Umar, for allegedly ordering Omoyele Sowore's lead counsel, Marshal Abubakar, to kneel during court proceedings in Abuja on March 16, 2026. The incident arose from a disagreement regarding the scheduled hearing date.

Reports indicate that the judge directed Abubakar to kneel while addressing the court, which led to the lawyer raising his voice during his submission. The judge reportedly issued a threat of contempt proceedings against Abubakar.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the NBA described the judge's actions as inappropriate and raised serious questions about the respect for the legal profession and the dignity of the court. The NBA emphasized that no legal practitioner should be required to kneel in court, as such actions do not align with judicial standards.

They reminded legal practitioners to maintain professionalism and decorum in court to preserve the justice system.