Reactions As Justice Umar Orders Sowore’s Lawyer To Kneel Down In Court

A Federal High Court judge in Abuja, Justice Mohammed Umar has warned Marshall Abubakar, the lead defence lawyer for Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, that he could be jailed for contempt of court.

The warning came after the lawyer raised his voice while speaking in court on Monday.

Abubakar was arguing that the date set for the defence to begin its case was not suitable for him.

The judge, clearly upset, ordered the lawyer to step out of the bar area and kneel in the courtroom.

However, other lawyers quickly stepped in and pleaded with the judge to forgive him.

The State Security Service (SSS) is prosecuting Sowore over social media posts in which he allegedly described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

Sowore was first charged on 5 December 2025 along with the parent companies of X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

However, after the charges were amended, the companies were removed from the case, leaving Sowore as the only defendant. The number of charges was also reduced from five to two.

He was re-arraigned in January and again pleaded not guilty.

The tension in court on Monday began after Abubakar finished questioning the prosecution’s only witness.

The prosecution lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), then announced that the prosecution had closed its case and asked the court to direct the defence to begin theirs.

When asked when the defence would open its case, Abubakar said they planned to file a no-case submission and asked the court to adjourn until July.

The prosecution opposed this, arguing that the defence was trying to delay the case and suggesting that hearings should take place every day.

The judge noted that while the prosecution handled its case quickly, the defence had taken four days to question a single witness.

He said daily hearings were not practical but fixed 13 April for both sides to present their final written arguments on the no-case submission.

Abubakar appeared unhappy with the date.

While Sowore was speaking from the dock about how the date might affect his party’s primaries, his lawyer also began speaking at the same time, raising his voice and saying the court belonged to everyone.

“This court belongs to all of us. This court is not for some people alone. It belongs to all of us,” Abubakar yelled.

Despite the judge’s attempts to calm him, the lawyer continued shouting.

The judge then warned him again and ordered him to come forward and kneel, threatening to punish him for contempt.

“If you shout in this court again, I will commit you for contempt. In fact, come here! Come and kneel down here!” the judge said, pointed to a spot in front of the courtroom

Sensing the situation was getting worse, other lawyers, including the prosecution counsel, quickly appealed to the judge for leniency.

Justice Mohammed Umar then adjourned the case to 13 April and ended the session.

See some reactions below:

The judge supposed add knock for that lawyer. https://t.co/sluKEiSEUV

— JAGS🦅 (@MrJags_) March 17, 2026

The uproar caused in court yesterday by Sowore and his lawyer undermines the sanctity of the court and he should be sanctioned for this. Justice Gumar should address the disorder in their next sitting to serve as a deterrent to others

— Julieta Azze (@AzzeJuliet74511) March 17, 2026

Please Lawyers in the house, Is it possible for a judge to order Lawyer to 'kneel' down? https://t.co/oxAzgNb2Zk

— Blessing Fáṣìpẹ̀ 🇳🇬 (@Blessingfash) March 17, 2026

You are lucky the judge was begged. Your lawyer would have been dealt with.

— Wally (@wallybalogun) March 17, 2026

Like seriously 😂😂😂 Nigeria don turn full skit at this point.
A judge asking a lawyer representing Omoyele Sowore to kneel down? And threatening remand on top? This isn’t justice, it’s pure intimidation dressed in a robe.
Courtroom or comedy show? Because the line is gone. 😭

— Dozie (@DozieOfficial1) March 17, 2026

A judge ordering a lawyer to KNEEL in court is not discipline — it's humiliation. The courtroom is a place of law, not servitude. If this is confirmed, it's a serious assault on the dignity of the legal profession and the independence of the Bar. ⚖️ #Sowore #NigeriaJudiciary…

— GOOD GOVERNANCES (@MObiokoye) March 17, 2026

Imagine telling a lawyer to kneel down in the courtroom.
When did Nigerian courtroom tuned to primary school class room?
Wait, if he mistakenly kneel the judge will still go ahead and ask him to hands up and close his eyes.

— simplicity (@real_innocient) March 17, 2026

A lawyer is ordered to kneel in court. Threatened with jail for defending a client.

This isn’t justice. This is power flexing for the cameras. If the law crushes those who uphold it, what hope do ordinary citizens have? https://t.co/C8MCjTXoTl

— Daniverse (@Daniverse001) March 17, 2026

Unthinkable 😢💔😿😕🤔🧐
Asking a lawyer to kneel? That’s not authority, that’s abuse of power. Very worrying precedent. https://t.co/fyadi7Z7W9

— Abubakar M Kareto (@amkareto) March 17, 2026

No court, not even the Supreme Court of Nigeria has the power to order a lawyer to kneel down in the open court. It is judicial banditry for a judge to even conceive the idea let alone openly saying so in court. No lawyer must in any circumstance comply with such stupid directive

— Stanley Chukwu (@stanley20910423) March 17, 2026

It's asif Sowore and all his associates have no respect for the Executive and judiciary body because y on earth will a whole judge order you to kneel down and you bluntly refuse? That lawyer should loose his license rubbish !!!!!!

— Amina Abdullahi (@AminaAbdul61061) March 17, 2026

ALSO READ: Court Threatens To Revoke Sowore’s Bail And Order His Arrest