For Lawyer Taiwo Aromolaran, what started as a routine court appearance quickly turned into a career-defining moment.
A Nigerian lawyer shared a memorable courtroom experience involving Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho.
According to her, the judge called her out in open court over a Facebook post she had written on a legal issue. 
She explained that the courtroom was packed as usual when a prosecutor informed the court that he had filed a motion to amend a charge. As soon as the prosecutor mentioned the motion, Justice Omotosho questioned whether the law actually required a motion to amend a charge. Instead of immediately giving his opinion, the judge asked the lawyers in court to check the law and relevant court decisions on the issue.
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At that point, Aromolaran already knew the answer because she had previously researched the matter and had even written about it on Facebook. The judge recognised her from her Facebook post and called on her to explain the legal position to the court.
She wrote, “The next thing I knew, Hon. Justice Omotosho was pointing at me”.
Judge Omotosho said, “Yes Madam, stand up and help us out. I have been seeing you on Facebook and I saw that you made a post about this issue on your wall.”
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She stood up and explained that although the ACJA states that a court “may permit” an amendment, the Supreme Court has already clarified that it considers permission granted once the court reads the amended charge to the defendant and the defendant enters a plea. The judge agreed with her explanation, cited another case that supported the same position, and then continued with the court proceedings.
This is a big deal for her because the judge publicly acknowledged that he had read her Facebook post. Also, while senior lawyers, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), were present, the judge agreed with her interpretation of the law.
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A judge’s recognition of a young lawyer and decision to call on them to clarify a legal issue in a packed courtroom creates a proud and memorable professional moment. That’s why she described it as her first “amicus curiae” moment: a situation where a lawyer assists the court by offering legal insight on a particular issue.
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