A former chairman of Nigeria’s National Human Rights Commission, Prof Chidi Odinkalu, has criticised a judge of the Federal High Court, Mohammed Umar, over reports that he ordered a lawyer to kneel during court proceedings in Abuja.
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Reacting in a post shared on his X handle, Odinkalu expressed disbelief at the development, questioning the conduct of the judge and the implications for judicial decorum.
“So, Moh’d Umar, a judge of @FederalHigh, ordered a lawyer in his court to kneel down? I am sure there are people saying ‘As the court pleases,'” he wrote.
The incident, which has sparked widespread reactions within Nigeria’s legal community, reportedly involved a defence counsel, Marshal Abubakar, who was appearing for a human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, when the order was allegedly issued.
Odinkalu, a professor of law and prominent human rights advocate, criticised the abuse of judicial authority, suggesting that the judge may have misunderstood the traditional courtroom honorific.
“He takes a very literal view of being called ‘My Lord’ and seems to think that means he is entitled to be worshipped and glorified,” he said.
In a sarcastic remark, Odinkalu further suggested that the judge’s conduct resembled practices associated with hazing.
“Or maybe he went to one of those high schools where hazing was on the curriculum?!” he added.
The comments come amid growing outrage over the reported courtroom incident, which has already drawn condemnation from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
The NBA had earlier described the alleged directive as inconsistent with judicial standards, stressing that ordering a lawyer to kneel is not a recognised sanction under Nigerian law.
Legal practitioners have warned that such actions, if confirmed, could undermine the dignity of the legal profession and erode public confidence in the judiciary.
The controversy has also reignited broader conversations about the balance of power between the bench and the bar, as well as the limits of judicial authority in maintaining courtroom discipline.
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