NBA, Sowore Clash Over Courtroom Conduct

NBA, Sowore Clash Over Courtroom Conduct

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and activist Omoyele Sowore have traded words over an incident at the Federal High Court in Abuja, following a confrontation that disrupted proceedings.

The controversy stemmed from an encounter on Tuesday involving Sowore and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, after the activist attempted to speak with journalists inside the courtroom.

A video circulating online showed the senior lawyer objecting, insisting that the courtroom was not an appropriate venue for media engagement.

In the exchange, Sowore pushed back, accusing the lawyer of intimidation. “You’re intimidating me and insulting my intelligence because you’re introducing yourself to me as a SAN. I also have my own SANs,” he said.

Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, NBA President, Afam Osigwe, condemned Sowore’s conduct, describing it as a violation of courtroom decorum.

“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 statement read.

The association alleged that Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals with recording devices and appeared to be preparing for a press briefing.

It added that he proceeded to the inner bar and addressed issues despite his case not being scheduled for hearing and without legal representation present.

According to the NBA, while courts are open to the public in a constitutional democracy, such access must be exercised with restraint and respect for judicial authority.

It stressed that courtrooms should not be turned into platforms for “publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation,” and expressed support for Adetunbi and other lawyers at the scene.

However, Sowore rejected the NBA’s claims, accusing the body of distorting the facts and engaging in what he termed “selective outrage.”

He explained that he was at the court to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling that struck out a cybercrime charge filed against him by the police in January 2025. He added that he had remained in court awaiting clarification after procedural issues arose.

“I did not organize any press conference. I responded to questions, as I have done consistently over the years,” he said, maintaining that interactions with journalists within court premises are common practice.

Sowore further criticised the NBA for failing to speak out against alleged abuses by state actors, including what he described as his previous arrest within court premises.

He also accused some lawyers involved in the incident of attempting to intimidate him and his team.

He disclosed that the court eventually reaffirmed its earlier decision striking out the case and ordered the release of his international passport.