The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned that courtrooms should not be used as venues for media briefings.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), issued the warning on Wednesday in a statement shared on the association’s official X account, reacting to a court incident involving human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Tuesday.
“Courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public, not as arenas for performance, but as sanctuaries for the orderly administration of justice. Their openness promotes transparency and public confidence, yet it also imposes a duty of restraint on all who enter,” Osigwe stated.
“Access to the courtroom is therefore a right exercised within the boundaries of decorum, discipline, and respect for judicial authority. The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose.
“It is against this background that the Nigerian Bar Association views with grave concern the incident involving Mr. Omoyele Sowore on March 24, 2026, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“Mr. Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by several individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment. He proceeded to set up what appeared to be preparations for a press conference within the courtroom itself. Members of his team attended to him, fanning his face and tidying his appearance in a manner akin to a broadcast setting.
“He subsequently moved into the inner bar, sat on one of the tables, and, as cameras were directed at him, began addressing what he described as ‘a range of national issues.’ Notably, Mr. Sowore’s case was not listed for hearing, and he was not accompanied by any legal practitioner during this episode.”
Osigwe explained that the development led to tension within the courtroom and a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum.
The NBA President added that courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to the administration of justice, and any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law.
He emphasised that using a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.
Osigwe noted that while every Nigerian, including Sowore, is entitled to attend and observe court proceedings, such rights must be exercised responsibly and with due regard for courtroom decorum.
He warned that public access to courts does not extend to turning courtrooms into platforms for press briefings or actions capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the court, whether or not the court is in session.
The NBA condemned Sowore’s disruption of the courtroom environment and expressed solidarity with Adetunbi (SAN) and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining decorum.
The association also called on court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice, free from acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners in the discharge of their duties.
The NBA reiterated its commitment to defending the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings, stressing that courtrooms must remain places of order, respect, disciplined advocacy, and responsible public access—not spectacle, confrontation, or disorder.
