Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja threatened to commit the lead defence lawyer for activist and politician Omoyele Sowore for contempt after he raised his voice in court during proceedings.
The judge directed Sowore’s lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, to “come out and kneel down” in open court due to what he described as rudeness. However, other lawyers quickly intervened and persuaded the judge to forgive him.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) for allegedly making false claims against President Bola Tinubu, referring to him as “a criminal” in posts on his X and Facebook accounts.
The tension arose shortly after the defence concluded cross-examining the prosecution’s only witness, Cyril Nosike, a DSS operative. When the prosecution, led by Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), announced the closure of their case and requested the defence open its case, Abubakar asked for an adjournment to July and indicated that Sowore would file a no-case submission.
The prosecution objected, arguing the request was a delay tactic, and called for accelerated hearings. Justice Umar criticised the defence for taking four days to cross-examine a single witness, while the prosecution had conducted its case swiftly. He directed both parties to return on April 13 for the adoption of final written addresses regarding the no-case submission.
While Sowore addressed the judge about how the proposed schedule might affect his party’s upcoming primaries, his lawyer simultaneously began speaking loudly about his client’s political ambitions.
“This court belongs to all of us. This court is not for some people alone. It belongs to all of us,” Abubakar shouted, ignoring repeated warnings from the judge to lower his voice.
Justice Umar then warned, “If you shout in this court again, I will commit you for contempt. In fact, come here! Come and kneel down here!”
Other lawyers, led by Kehinde, immediately intervened, pleading with the judge to forgive their colleague. The judge then adjourned the case to April 13 and rose for the day.
Earlier in the morning, the prosecution raised concerns that Sowore had a recording device in the dock. Sowore denied having one, stating he only had his eye glasses, power bank, and phone. Justice Umar reminded him that court rules prohibited gadgets in the dock and instructed him to hand over the items to his lawyer, which Sowore did.
Abubakar then requested a stand-down until 12:30 pm to retrieve the case file from another court, claiming he had only just learned about the sitting. Despite objections from Kehinde, Justice Umar granted the pause.
When proceedings resumed around 1 p.m., Abubakar cross-examined the DSS witness for about two hours, tendering several newspaper publications, some of which were later given to the witness to read.
The trial continues as Sowore’s defence prepares to file its no-case submission, while the court maintains strict control over courtroom conduct and adherence to procedure. The next sitting has been scheduled for April 13 for the adoption of final written addresses.
