The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticized Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja for telling counsel Marshall Abubakar to kneel in court.
Channels TV said that Abubakar, the main defense counsel for human rights campaigner Omoyele Sowore, made the judge angry when he spoke loudly in court.
The lawyer spoke up and said that the date the court picked for the defense to commence its case was not good for him. Umar then told the lawyer to “come out” of the bar part of the courtroom and kneel down.
Afam Osigwe, the president of the NBA, claimed that no judge may tell a lawyer to kneel in court, nonetheless.
He stated in a statement today, “A judge telling a lawyer or anyone else to kneel in court is not a recognized judicial sanction under our laws and does not meet the standards of judicial conduct expected on the Bench.”
“The court’s dignity must be upheld not only in the decision but also in the process, which includes how judicial authority is used. If a judge thinks that someone has acted in a way that shows disrespect for the court, the judge MUST follow the usual rules for handling such claims.
Osigwe said that lawyers must always act with moderation, professionalism, and respect for the court, but they also have the right and obligation to strongly and bravely speak up for their clients.
He, on the other hand, said that this kind of support must always be done with respect and politeness.
The senior lawyer stressed that no matter how strongly you disagree with the court, you should do so through the correct legal procedures and not in a way that stops the processes or questions the court’s authority.
“Mutual respect between the Bar and the Bench is what keeps the legal profession going. “This relationship is very important for the fair administration of justice and must be protected at all costs,” he said.
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