Activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over its reaction to his conduct at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sowore accused the NBA of selective outrage, alleging that the body often shields powerful individuals while targeting victims of state actions. He rejected the association’s claim that he breached courtroom etiquette, describing its position as misleading and inconsistent with its professed commitment to justice and fairness.
Sowore stated that while the NBA may feel obligated to defend its members, such defence should not be based on what he termed false narratives. He described the association’s response as a setback for democratic principles and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The dispute followed an incident on Tuesday involving a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, who challenged Sowore’s attempt to speak with journalists inside the courtroom. Adetunbi reportedly insisted that the court was not an appropriate venue for media engagement.
However, Sowore denied organising any press briefing within the court premises. He explained that his visit was solely to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling that had earlier dismissed a cybercrime charge filed against him in January 2025. According to him, complications arose when the presiding judge, Justice M.S. Liman, allegedly declined to sign the order following an ex parte motion filed by the Nigeria Police Force.
He further clarified that while waiting, journalists attached to the court approached him for comments—a routine interaction he agreed to. Sowore maintained that such engagements are common within court environments and do not constitute misconduct.
The activist also questioned the NBA’s silence on more serious incidents, including alleged invasions of courtrooms by security operatives and repeated disobedience of court orders by state actors. According to him, the association’s failure to address such issues highlights a pattern of selective intervention that undermines its credibility.
