In the petition dated July 7, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC, the group alleged that the conduct of Justice Umar has undermined public confidence in the judiciary and denied Sowore the constitutional guarantee of a fair hearing.
The Lagos State chapter of the #EndBadGovernance Movement has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), demanding an investigation and disciplinary action against Justice Mohammed Umar over allegations of judicial bias, misconduct and abuse of judicial discretion in the ongoing criminal trial of human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
In the petition dated July 7, 2026, and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the NJC, the group alleged that the conduct of Justice Umar has undermined public confidence in the judiciary and denied Sowore the constitutional guarantee of a fair hearing.
The group in the petition, signed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto and Oloye Adegboyega-Adeniji, on behalf of its organising committee, argued that the legitimacy of the judiciary depends on its independence, impartiality and adherence to the rule of law.
According to the group, Justice Umar's actions throughout the proceedings have created what it described as "a reasonable apprehension of bias," thereby calling into question the integrity of the trial.
