Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja on Monday threatened to commit the lead defence lawyer to politician and on-line writer, Omoyele Sowore, Marshall Abubakar, for contempt over rudeness in courtroom.
For elevating his voice in courtroom, the choose ordered Sowore’s lawyer to “come out and kneel down” in open courtroom. Different legal professionals, nevertheless, shortly prevailed upon the choose to forgive their errant colleague.
Sowore is being prosecuted by the Division of State Providers (DSS) for allegedly making false claims towards the particular person of President Bola Tinubu by referring to him as “a felony” in a put up he made on his “X” and Fb accounts.
The lawyer drew the ire of the choose when he raised his voice whereas making submissions in courtroom. The lawyer additional raised his voice and insisted that the date chosen by the courtroom for the defence to open its case was not handy for him.
Bother began when, shortly after Abubakar struggled to conclude cross analyzing the one prosecution witness, the prosecuting lawyer introduced the closure of the prosecution’s case and utilized that the defence be referred to as upon to open its case.
When requested by the choose when he deliberate to open his counsel’s defence, Abubakar stated the defendant would make a no-case submission and steered that the courtroom ought to adjourn until a date in July.
Prosecuting lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), objected and argued that it was a part of the defence’s dilatory techniques meant to additional delay proceedings. He steered that the case be heard every day.
In his intervention, the choose regretted that, whereas the prosecution was swift in conducting its case, the defence was tardy, spent a complete 4 days in cross analyzing the prosecution’s solely witness.
The choose stated it was not possible to listen to the case heard every day, however directed events to return on April 13 for the adoption of their remaining written addresses in respect of the no-case submission. Abubakar appeared uncomfortable with that date.
While Sowore was addressing the choose from the witness field on how the proposed date would possibly have an effect on his celebration’s upcoming primaries, his lawyer additionally concurrently started addressing the choose, narrating how his shopper was poised to wrest energy from President Tinubu.
“This courtroom belongs to all of us. This courtroom shouldn’t be for some individuals alone. It belongs to all of us,” yelled Marshall.
Makes an attempt by the choose to make the lawyer decrease his voice had been unsuccessful. At that time, Justice Umar bellowed, “When you shout on this courtroom once more, I’ll commit you for contempt. Actually, come right here! Come and kneel down right here!” pointing to a spot in entrance of the courtroom.
On realising the unsavoury flip of occasions, different legal professionals led by the one SAN within the courtroom, Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, jumped to their ft and commenced begging the choose to forgive the aberrant lawyer.
Whereas the legal professionals had been nonetheless upstanding begging, the choose pronounced that the case has been adjourned until April 13 for adoption, and rose for the day.