Dare Babalola
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the actions of activist Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court, cautioning against turning courtrooms into platforms for media engagements.
In a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday, the NBA President Afam Osigwe expressed concern over an incident that occurred on March 24, 2026, describing it as a breach of courtroom decorum.
According to Osigwe, Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying recording devices and appeared to be preparing for a press briefing within the court premises.
He alleged that members of Sowore’s team engaged in activities resembling a media setup, including positioning cameras and attending to his appearance.
The NBA president further stated that Sowore proceeded into the inner bar, sat on a table, and began addressing what he termed “a range of national issues,” despite the fact that his case was not scheduled for hearing and he was not accompanied by legal counsel at the time.
The development caused tension in the courtroom, leading to a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining professional standards within the court.
Osigwe emphasised that while court proceedings are open to the public to ensure transparency, such access must be exercised within the bounds of discipline and respect for judicial authority.
He stressed that courtrooms are designated strictly for the administration of justice and not for publicity or advocacy activities.
“The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose,” he stated.
The NBA condemned what it described as a disruption of the courtroom environment and reaffirmed its support for Adetunbi and other lawyers who sought to uphold decorum during the incident.
The association also called on court authorities to safeguard the sanctity of courtrooms, warning against any actions capable of intimidating legal practitioners or undermining the dignity of judicial proceedings.
Reiterating its stance, the NBA said it remains committed to preserving the integrity of the legal profession and ensuring that courtrooms remain spaces for orderly and respectful administration of justice.
