By Onoja Baba, Nigeria
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly criticised activist Omoyele Sowore for what it described as turning the Federal High Court, Abuja, into a “stage for media briefing” and “publicity theatrics” during an incident on Tuesday, while Sowore has hit back, accusing the NBA of falsehoods, selective outrage, and shielding misconduct by one of its senior members.
In a strongly worded statement signed by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the NBA said Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals with cameras and recording equipment, prepared for a press conference, had his team fan his face and tidy his appearance, moved into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began addressing “a range of national issues” while cameras rolled.
The NBA noted that Sowore’s case was not listed for hearing that day, and he was not accompanied by any legal practitioner.
The association declared that “Courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to the administration of justice. Any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law. The use of a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable.”
It added that while every Nigerian has the right to attend court proceedings, “such right must be exercised responsibly… Public access to the courts does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for press briefings.”
The NBA condemned Sowore’s actions, expressed solidarity with the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, who confronted him, and called on court authorities to protect the sanctity of judicial proceedings.
In a swift and detailed response, Sowore described the NBA statement as “yet another sad day for democracy in Nigeria” and accused the association of building its defence on falsehoods. He clarified that he was at the Federal High Court to collect a Certified True Copy of a ruling striking out a cybercrime charge against him. According to Sowore, the judge had not signed the order due to new motions filed by the police, and he was asked to wait while the matter was addressed.
Sowore explained that “While waiting, media personnel attached to the Federal High Court approached me as they routinely do and requested comments. I obliged. This is standard practice… I did not organize any press conference.”
He challenged the NBA’s selective outrage, asking that “Where was this energy when the DSS operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct me before a sitting judge? Where was the defence of the sanctity of the court when state actors repeatedly violated court orders?”
Sowore further claimed that court records would show his case was before the court that day, with both police counsel and his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, present, and that the judge eventually reaffirmed the striking out of the case and ordered the release of his seized international passport.
The activist accused the NBA of attempting to distort facts and shield the conduct of Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who he said acted recklessly by issuing threats, attempting to destroy equipment, and calling the police.
He maintained that the police found no wrongdoing in his actions.
The confrontation, which was captured on video and went viral, has intensified public debate on the balance between freedom of expression, media rights, and the need to preserve courtroom decorum and judicial dignity in Nigeria.
As of press time, neither the Federal High Court nor the NBA had issued furthe
r statements on the matter.
categories
recent posts
NIGERIA: Sowore Defends Himself In Court, Seeks Judge’s Recusal In Cybercrime Trial
