The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly condemned the conduct of former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, describing it as a disruption of courtroom decorum.
Drama unfolded when Sowore clashed with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) while attempting to address journalists inside the courtroom.
A video circulating online showed the lawyer confronting Sowore and insisting that the courtroom was not a venue for a press briefing.Sowore responded: “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 its President, Afam Osigwe, the NBA noted that while courtrooms are open to the public to promote transparency, they must be conducted with restraint, discipline, and respect for judicial authority.
The association said Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment.
He reportedly set up preparations for a press conference, with his team attending to him “in a manner akin to a broadcast setting.”
He then moved into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began addressing a range of national issues, even though his case was not listed for hearing and he was not accompanied by any legal practitioner.
This led to tension and a confrontation with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining 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 NBA stated.
The association stressed that using a courtroom as a venue for “publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.”
While affirming that every Nigerian has the right to attend court proceedings, the NBA emphasised 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 NBA condemned Sowore’s actions and expressed solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and other lawyers who insisted on order.
It also called on court authorities to protect courtrooms as spaces for the orderly administration of justice, free from acts that could intimidate legal practitioners.
The association reiterated its commitment to defending the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings.
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