NBA Condemns Omoyele Sowore Over Federal High Court Disruption in Abuja
The Nigerian Bar Association has strongly criticised the conduct of former presidential candidate and activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, describing the incident as a clear breach of courtroom decorum.
PulseNets learnt that tensions flared when Sowore attempted to address journalists from داخل the courtroom, triggering a confrontation with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who objected to the move and maintained that the courtroom was not the appropriate setting for a press engagement.
Footage obtained by PulseNets showed the SAN confronting Sowore, cautioning him against turning the court into a media platform. In response, Sowore fired back, “You’re intimidating me and insulting my intelligence because you’re introducing yourself to me as a SAN. I also have my own SANs.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by NBA President Afam Osigwe, the association reiterated that while courtrooms in a constitutional democracy remain open to the public to ensure transparency, proceedings must be conducted with discipline, restraint, 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 read.
PulseNets gathered that Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying cameras and recording devices, in what appeared to be preparations for a press conference. His aides reportedly attended to him “in a manner akin to a broadcast setting,” after which he proceeded into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began speaking on national issues, despite his case not being scheduled for hearing and without legal representation present.
The NBA noted that the development created tension within the courtroom and resulted in a confrontation with SAN Musibau Adetunbi, who challenged the conduct and insisted on preserving 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 association stated.
The body further emphasised that transforming a courtroom into a stage for publicity or advocacy theatrics is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.
While acknowledging that Nigerians have the right to observe 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.”
Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Inside the Plot — How Governor Aiyedatiwa and Protocol Chief “Yomi” Allegedly Orchestrated Attacks on Sowore and June 12 Activists in Akure
The association condemned Sowore’s actions and expressed solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi and other legal practitioners who stood their ground in defence of courtroom order. It also called on court authorities to safeguard courtrooms as protected environments for the proper administration of justice, free from acts capable of intimidating members of the legal profession.
The NBA maintained that it would continue to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial processes, insisting that courtrooms must remain spaces defined by order, respect, and disciplined advocacy.
