The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has knocked human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his conduct at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, describing it as a disruption of courtroom decorum.
Earlier reports indicated that a clash occurred between Sowore and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Musibau Adetunbi, when he attempted to address journalists and hold a press briefing inside the courtroom while awaiting legal proceedings.
The incident, captured in a video now circulating online, showed the senior lawyer confronting Sowore and members of the media, asserting that the courtroom is a “sanctuary for justice” and not an appropriate venue for media conferences.
He urged the journalists to move the interview outside the court premises, citing nearly 30 years of legal practice in which he had never seen such an act.
Sowore, however, disagreed, arguing that the courtroom is a place of justice and that discussing legal matters with the press while awaiting proceedings was within his rights.
“You’re intimidating me and insulting my intelligence because you’re introducing yourself to me as a SAN,” Sowore resisted, maintaining that no law expressly prohibits addressing journalists inside the courtroom.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the NBA said courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public to promote transparency and public confidence, but must be conducted with restraint, discipline and respect for judicial authority.
“It is against this background that the Nigerian Bar Association views with grave concern the incident involving Mr Omoyele Sowore,” the statement said.
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The NBA said Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment and “proceeded to set up what appeared to be preparations for a press conference within the courtroom itself.”
According to the statement, members of his team attended to him “in a manner akin to a broadcast setting,” after which he moved into the inner bar, sat on a table and began addressing “a range of national issues,” despite his case not being listed for hearing and his not being accompanied by any legal practitioner.
The association noted that the development led to tension in the courtroom and a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, 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.
It added that the use of a courtroom as a venue for “publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings.”
While noting that every Nigerian has the right to attend court proceedings, the NBA stressed 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 association said it condemns Sowore’s actions and expressed solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining order.
“We also call on court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice and free from acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners,” the statement added.
