No judge has power to order lawyer to kneel in court — NBA
THE Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has expressed concern over reports of an incident involving a Federal High Court judge in Abuja and a defence lawyer, insisting that no judge has the power under Nigerian law to order a legal practitioner to kneel in court. In a statement, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, said the association was disturbed by reports that Justice Mohammed Umar allegedly directed a lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, to kneel in the courtroom during proceedings. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday at the Federal High Court, Abuja, when Abubakar appeared as lead defence counsel for Omoyele Sowore. According to the NBA, the trial judge allegedly issued the directive after the lawyer raised his voice while addressing the court over the suitability of a hearing date. The judge was also said to have threatened committal proceedings for contempt. The association said it viewed the development with “utmost seriousness,” noting that it had implications for the dignity of the leg...