A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Monday 28th of June, 2022 ordered controversial human rights lawyer, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo to file a Written Address on the legality and propriety of his traditional dress while appearing before the Court.
Chief Malcolm who has been making rounds on social media yesterday appeared bare-footed with cowries tied on his two legs. His wig had long feathers, while he had cowries in his two hands and tied a red wrapper on his lawyer’s gown.
Omihrhobo, who appeared before Justice Tijani Garuba Ringim was greeted with resistance by some lawyers, who argued that he cannot be heard as he was not properly dressed as a lawyer before the court.
When his case was called, the Chief Malcolm announced his appearance as an applicant, but he was however opposed by some lawyers who submitted that he could not be heard as he was not properly robed.
One of the lawyers, Abdullah Dania was quoted as saying: “I am a lawyer, my lord can imagine the way my learned friend appears before the court as a professional. The rules that govern us as lawyers do not allow improper dressing.”
In his ruling, Honourable Justice Tijani Garuba said: “You cannot address the court like this as a professional. I will adjourn your matter and you come and address the court if the rule allows you to appear in court like this.”
Recall that Omihrhobo last week caused a scene at the Supreme Court, Abuja, for appearing in such dress.
In his response to the opposition to his appearance, he told the court yesterday that it will be a violation of his right if he his denied audience.
He noted that court rules cannot be above the Constitution of Nigeria.
He said: “My Lord the rules cannot supersede the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Upon his argument, Justice Ringim directed him to address the court on why he should be heard the way he dressed on the next adjourned date in a suit marked FHC/L/CS/929/2022, which has the Federal Government of Nigeria and others as respondents.
The same happened to the case in his suit marked no FHC/L/CS/1392/2021 against the Nigeria Army and two others before the same court.
The court also ordered that the address must not be more than five pages citing authorities. And must be filed before the next adjourned date.
Consequently, the judge adjourned his two cases to October 10, 2022.
