The Nigerian Bar Association has criticised Omoyele Sowore over his conduct during a confrontation at the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing his actions as a breach of courtroom decorum
The incident reportedly began when Sowore attempted to speak to journalists inside the courtroom. This led to a heated exchange with Musibau Adetunbi, who objected to the move and insisted that the courtroom was not the right venue for media engagement, stressing the need to preserve the dignity of judicial proceedings.
Sowore, however, dismissed the criticism, accusing the senior lawyer of intimidation and questioning the relevance of his professional status in the exchange.
Reacting in a statement signed by its president, Afam Osigwe, the NBA expressed “grave concern” over the development. The association noted that although courtrooms are open to the public in a democratic system, such access must be guided by discipline, restraint, and respect for the authority of the court.
According to the NBA, Sowore entered the courtroom with individuals carrying recording equipment and appeared to be preparing for a press briefing. It added that his team attended to him in a manner similar to a media setup before he reportedly moved into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began addressing various national issues.
The association further observed that Sowore’s case was not scheduled for hearing at the time and that he was not accompanied by legal counsel, raising additional concerns about the appropriateness of his actions. The situation, it said, created tension in the courtroom and led to the confrontation with Adetunbi.
Describing the conduct as unacceptable, the NBA warned that any act capable of undermining the dignity of the court, intimidating legal practitioners, or disrupting proceedings is a serious violation of the rule of law. It emphasised that courtrooms must not be turned into platforms for publicity or advocacy stunts.
While reaffirming the public’s right to attend court proceedings, the NBA stressed that such access does not permit actions that compromise order and judicial authority, adding that it stands in support of Adetunbi and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining decorum.
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