The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the conduct of former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Tuesday, describing it as a disruption of courtroom decorum.
According to reports from Daily Post, drama unfolded at the Federal High Court in Abuja when Sowore clashed with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria while attempting to address journalists inside the courtroom.
A video circulating online showed the lawyer confronting Sowore, insisting that the courtroom was not an appropriate venue for a press briefing.
Sowore, however, disagreed, saying, “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 signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association 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.
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.
The NBA said it would continue to defend the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings, stressing that the courtroom must remain a place of order, respect and disciplined advocacy.