Courtroom Drama as Judge Orders Sowore's Lawyer to Kneel, Threatens Contempt
Tension flared at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, March 16, when Justice Mohammed Umar issued a stern warning to Marshall Abubakar, the lead counsel for Sahara Reporters publisher Omoyele Sowore, threatening contempt proceedings. The confrontation stemmed from a heated exchange during proceedings, where the judge instructed Abubakar to step out of the bar area and kneel down after he repeatedly raised his voice while addressing the court.
Heated Exchange Leads to Judicial Rebuke
According to reports from the courtroom, Justice Umar declared, "If you shout in this court again, I will commit you for contempt. In fact, come here! Come and kneel down here!" This directive prompted immediate reactions from other lawyers present, who intervened to calm the situation. Following their appeals, the judge relented, allowing the matter to proceed without further escalation.
Clash Over Case Timetable and Procedural Delays
The incident occurred amidst a procedural debate over the case timetable. The prosecution, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Akinlolu Kehinde, had closed its case and requested that the defence be ordered to open its own. However, the defence indicated plans to file a no-case submission and proposed an adjournment until July. Kehinde objected, arguing that this request was intended to delay proceedings and suggested daily hearings to expedite the matter.
Justice Umar noted that while the prosecution had conducted its case promptly, the defence had spent several days cross-examining the sole prosecution witness. He declined the request for daily hearings but fixed April 13 for the adoption of written addresses related to the no-case submission.
Allegations Over Recording Device in Courtroom
At the start of the session, the prosecution raised concerns that Sowore had brought a recording device into the dock, requesting its confiscation in line with an earlier court order prohibiting gadgets. Sowore denied carrying any recording equipment, stating he only had personal items such as his spectacles, phone, and a power bank. The judge directed that these items be submitted to his legal team, which was done accordingly.
Trial Continues Amidst Procedural Arguments
The court granted a brief stand-down request from the defence to allow counsel to retrieve case files from his office. Upon resumption, cross-examination of the sole prosecution witness, a State Security Service operative, continued for several hours. The case, which stems from allegations related to social media posts, remains ongoing, with further proceedings scheduled for mid-April.
Background on Previous Court Ruling
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja previously rejected an exhibit tendered by Sowore on February 4. The exhibit alleged that President Bola Tinubu called former President Goodluck Jonathan a "drunkard" and a "sinking fisherman" in 2011. Trial Justice Mohammed Umar declined to admit the document into evidence, noting that the witness through whom Sowore sought to tender it, Cyril Nosike of the Department of State Services, distanced himself from it.
