Sowore disputes NBA claim, says he didn't host media briefing at courthouse

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has fired back at the Nigerian Bar Association, refuting claims that he orchestrated a press conference at the Federal High Court in Abuja, and instead asserted that he was merely responding to queries from journalists.

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Sowore's rebuttal comes on the heels of a statement issued by the NBA, signed by its President Afam Osigwe, which condemned Sowore's actions as a disruption of courtroom etiquette after he was spotted addressing journalists within the court premises.

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The NBA deemed Sowore's behavior as an undermining of the court's dignity and inconsistent with acceptable conduct during judicial proceedings, prompting Sowore to label the association's stance as "another sad day for democracy in Nigeria".

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In a statement, Sowore accused the NBA of misrepresenting the facts surrounding the incident, stating that the association and its president falsely alleged that he staged a press conference on a day when his case was not listed.

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Sowore explained that his presence at the Federal High Court was to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling and order that struck out a cybercrime charge filed against him in January 2025, which he described as baseless and linked to actions by the police.

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According to Sowore, upon his arrival, the court registrar informed him that the presiding judge declined to sign the order due to motions filed by the police, including an ex parte application to relist the case and a subsequent motion to withdraw it.

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The judge, Justice M.S. Liman, would only sign the ruling after addressing those motions, and Sowore was asked to wait for the judge to resume sitting, during which time journalists approached him for comments.

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Sowore maintained that he merely responded to questions from journalists as part of routine media interaction, stating that he did not organize any press conference and that responding to questions was standard practice.

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Sowore also recalled similar interactions with journalists during his 2019 trial, and criticized the NBA for its selective outrage, questioning the association's silence during past incidents involving alleged violations of court processes.

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Sowore pointed to a past incident where DSS operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct him before a sitting judge, asking where the NBA's energy was during that incident.

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He alleged that some lawyers attempted to intimidate him during the incident, and that the attempt by some lawyers to intimidate and harass him in court only underscored the growing culture of impunity.

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Sowore emphasized that court records would show that his matter was before the court, and that both his counsel and police representatives were present, with the judge reaffirming the decision striking out the case and ordering the release of his international passport.

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Sowore stated that the NBA cannot claim to defend the rule of law while ignoring abuses by powerful state actors and amplifying misleading narratives, in response to the association's criticism of his actions.

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The exchange is a result of an incident on March 24 at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Sowore was seen addressing journalists, leading to tension and a confrontation with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi.

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The NBA had described the use of a courtroom as a platform for publicity or advocacy as unacceptable, and called on court authorities to protect the sanctity of judicial proceedings.