The Nigerian Bar Association has criticised the conduct of activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing his actions as a breach of courtroom decorum and a threat to the dignity of judicial proceedings.
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, involved a confrontation between Sowore and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Musibau Adetunbi, after the activist attempted to address journalists inside the courtroom.
Adetunbi objected, insisting that the courtroom was not an appropriate venue for media engagement.
Eyewitness accounts indicate that Sowore resisted the objection, responding sharply and questioning Adetunbi’s stance, which escalated tensions within the courtroom.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe acknowledged that courtrooms in a democratic society are open to the public to ensure transparency.
However, he stressed that such openness must be balanced with order, discipline, and respect for judicial authority.
According to the NBA, Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by associates carrying recording devices and mobile phones, and proceeded to set up what appeared to be a press briefing environment within the court premises.
The association further alleged that members of his entourage attended to him in a manner resembling a broadcast setup, after which he moved into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began speaking on various national issues—despite his case not being scheduled for hearing and without the presence of legal counsel.
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The NBA noted that the situation created tension and led to a standoff, as Adetunbi and other legal practitioners sought to uphold courtroom order.
“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 association stated.
It emphasised that while citizens have the right to observe court proceedings, such access does not extend to transforming courtrooms into platforms for publicity or advocacy theatrics.
Condemning Sowore’s actions, the NBA expressed support for Adetunbi and other lawyers who intervened to maintain decorum, while also calling on court authorities to safeguard courtrooms as spaces dedicated to the orderly administration of justice.
The development highlights ongoing tensions between activism, media engagement, and institutional protocols, raising broader questions about the limits of expression within formal judicial settings.