The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has slammed former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore’s actions in the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, calling it a breach of courtroom decorum.
According to the Daily Post, commotion broke out at the Federal High Court in Abuja when Sowore battled with a senior advocate of Nigeria while seeking to address journalists inside the courtroom.
A video circulating online shows the lawyer addressing Sowore, saying that the courtroom was not proper for a press briefing.
Sowore protested, stating, “You’re frightening me and disrespecting my intelligence by introducing yourself as a SAN. I also own my own SANs.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its president, Afam Osigwe, the association stated that courtrooms in a constitutional democracy should be accessible to the public to enhance openness and public confidence, but they must be conducted with restraint, discipline, and respect for judicial authority.
“It is against this background that the Nigerian Bar Association views with grave concern the incident involving Mr. Omoyele Sowore,” the statement said.
The NBA stated that Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment and “proceeded to set up what appeared to be preparations for a press conference within the courtroom itself.”
According to the statement, members of his team attended to him “in a manner akin to a broadcast setting,” after which he moved into the inner bar, sat on a table and began addressing “a range of national issues,” despite his case not being listed for hearing and his not being accompanied by any legal practitioner.
The group stated that the situation created tension in the courtroom and resulted in a conflict with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who objected to the behavior and insisted on maintaining courtroom order.
“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 NBA stated.
It also mentioned that the use of a courtroom as a venue for “publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.”
While stating that every Nigerian has the right to attend court proceedings, the NBA stressed that such access “does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for press briefings or actions capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the court.”
The association mentioned that it condemns Sowore’s actions and expressed solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining order.
“We also call on court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice and free from acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners,” the statement added.
The NBA stated that it will continue to protect the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial procedures, emphasizing that the courtroom must be a place of order, respect, and disciplined advocacy.
