Tension Rises: Judge Issues Controversial Order To Omoyele Sowore’s Counsel

The incident took place on Monday during the hearing of a cyberbullying case filed against Sowore by the Department of State Services. The judge gave the directive after defence counsel, Marshall Abubakar, repeatedly raised his voice while addressing the court.

As tensions rose, Justice Umar cautioned the lawyer against further outbursts and summoned him forward. He warned that continued disruption could lead to contempt charges and instructed him to kneel before the bench.

The order sparked immediate reactions in the courtroom, with several lawyers stepping in to plead for leniency. The situation was eventually brought under control after senior legal practitioners, including prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, intervened and appealed to the judge to temper his decision.

The clash stemmed from disagreements over the next hearing date after the prosecution closed its case. While the prosecution pushed for the defence to begin its case, Abubakar indicated plans to file a no-case submission and requested an adjournment until July. The prosecution opposed this, arguing it was a delay tactic and urging a faster timeline.

Justice Umar noted that although the prosecution handled its case swiftly, the defence had taken more time, including several days to cross-examine a single witness. He then fixed April 13, 2026, for the adoption of final written addresses on the no-case submission.

The scheduled date was opposed by the defence, leading to further tension. The situation escalated when Sowore, speaking from the witness box, attempted to explain how the date could affect his party’s primaries, while his lawyer also addressed the court at the same time.

Despite repeated attempts by the judge to restore order, the disruption continued, prompting the warning of contempt and the directive for the lawyer to kneel.