The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has 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 serious disruption of courtroom decorum.
According to reports from Daily Post, tensions escalated 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, emphasizing that the courtroom was not an appropriate venue for a press briefing. Sowore, however, resisted, stating, “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 on Wednesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe stressed that while courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public to promote transparency and public confidence, proceedings must be conducted with restraint, discipline, and respect for judicial authority.
The association noted that Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying cameras and recording equipment, setting up what appeared to be a press conference. He reportedly moved into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began addressing various national issues, despite his case not being listed for hearing and his lack of legal representation.
The development led to a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum. The NBA condemned any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings, calling it “a grave affront to the rule of law.”
The association further stressed that using a courtroom for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings. While every Nigerian has the right to attend court, this right “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 expressed solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining order, urging court authorities to protect courtrooms as spaces for the orderly administration of justice. The association reaffirmed its commitment to defending the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings, emphasizing that the courtroom must remain a place of order, respect, and disciplined advocacy.
