‘This is Unknown to Law!’ — Sowore Speaks on Judge Ordering His Lawyer to Kneel

Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has reacted strongly to an incident in court where his lawyer was allegedly asked to kneel by a presiding judge.

He described the directive as strange and not recognised in legal practice.

Sowore spoke during an interview monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA, where he gave details of what happened during proceedings in his ongoing cybercrime trial.

He said he was taken aback by the development, noting that he had attended several court sessions both in Nigeria and abroad but had never witnessed such an occurrence.

According to him, the incident involved his lead counsel, Abubakar Marshall, who was cross-examining a witness from the Department of State Services (DSS).

He explained that the lawyer was trying to properly question the witness, who appeared uncooperative, when the judge repeatedly interrupted the process.

Sowore said the situation became more concerning when the judge warned that excessive cross-examination could harm the case. He noted that such a statement was unusual and raised questions about fairness in the proceedings.

He added that his lawyer remained calm and insisted on completing the cross-examination, stressing its importance to the defence. However, tension reportedly grew in the courtroom when the lawyer expressed concerns about the direction of the trial.

The AAC chieftain further stated that the disagreement later shifted to the issue of adjournment. He said he personally addressed the court, requesting more time due to the country’s political calendar, but the judge declined and fixed a date the defence team considered too close.

Sowore explained that it was at that point the situation escalated. He alleged that the judge, visibly irritated, ordered his lawyer to come forward and kneel as a form of sanction.

He said the lawyer refused and responded firmly, stating, “my lord, asking me to come and kneel down before you for contempt of court is unknown to law.”

Sowore noted that the reaction appeared to prompt a shift in the courtroom, as other lawyers intervened. He claimed the judge later exited abruptly and adjourned the case.

Beyond the courtroom drama, Sowore also addressed questions about his activism and political ambitions. He maintained that there is no separation between activism and politics, arguing that both are aimed at defending human rights and improving governance.

He said his participation in elections is not based on confidence in the current system but rather to expose its flaws. According to him, credible elections remain a major challenge in Nigeria, with issues such as lack of transparency and manipulation undermining public trust.

Sowore stressed that until elections are conducted in a free and fair manner, it would be difficult for genuine democratic leadership to emerge. He added that his movement would continue to push for reforms that allow citizens’ votes to truly count.

He also stated that activism on the streets is necessary to expand democratic space and demand accountability, insisting that real change cannot happen without fixing the electoral process.