NBA condemns Sowore’s conduct at Abuja court

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The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the conduct of former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, describing it as a disruption of courtroom decorum.

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According to reports from Daily Post, drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja when Sowore clashed with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria while attempting to address journalists inside the courtroom.

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A video circulating online showed the lawyer confronting Sowore, insisting that the courtroom was not an appropriate venue for a press briefing.

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Sowore, however, disagreed, saying, “You’re intimidating me and insulting my intelligence because you’re introducing yourself to me as a SAN. I also have my own SANs.”

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In a statement on Wednesday signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association said courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public to promote transparency and public confidence, but must be conducted with restraint, discipline and respect for judicial authority.

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“It is against this background that the Nigerian Bar Association views with grave concern the incident involving Mr Omoyele Sowore,” the statement said.

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The NBA said 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.”

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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.

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The association noted that the development led to tension in the courtroom and a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum.

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“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.

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It added 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.”

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While noting 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.”

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The association said it condemns Sowore’s actions and expressed solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining order.

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“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.

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The NBA said it would continue to defend the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings, stressing that the courtroom must remain a place of order, respect and disciplined advocacy.

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