The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the poor conduct of the former presidential candidate and activist, Omoyele Sowore, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he attempted to conduct a media briefing inside one of the courtrooms, an action the body viewed as breaching the rules of etiquette and procedure.

In a statement, yesterday, the NBA President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), while describing the incident as a disruption of courtroom decorum, maintained that while the courtroom is a constitutional democracy open to the public, “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.”

He said: “While every Nigerian, including Mr Sowore, is entitled to attend and observe court proceedings, such right must be exercised responsibly and with due regard to courtroom decorum. Public access to the courts does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for media briefings or actions capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the court, whether or not the court is in session.”

Osigwe noted that the courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose, stressing that their openness promotes transparency and public confidence, yet it also imposes a duty of restraint on all who enter.

He added that access to the courtroom is therefore a right exercised within boundaries of decorum, discipline, and respect for judicial authority.

Meanwhile, Sowore has denied the allegation that he organised a media briefing in the court.

Reacting to the NBA and its President’s allegation via a post on his verified X handle, Sowore said: “I have read the statement issued by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, and I must say this is yet another sad day for democracy in Nigeria. While I understand that the NBA may feel compelled to defend one of its own, such defence must not be built on falsehoods.

“The truth matters, especially from an institution that claims to uphold fairness, justice and the rule of law. First, the NBA and its President falsely claimed that I staged a press conference in court on a day when my case was not listed. This is incorrect.

“I was present at the Federal High Court to obtain the Certified True Copy of a ruling and order striking out a baseless cybercrime charge filed against me in January 2025 by the then-illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.”

Sowore explained that upon arrival, the court registrar informed him that the judge had declined to sign the order because the police had secretly filed an ex parte motion to relist the case, and then curiously filed another motion to withdraw that same ex parte application.

He said they were told that Justice M.S. Liman would only sign the ruling after addressing those motions, and as such, they protested “this irregularity and were asked to wait for the judge to resume sitting. While waiting, media personnel attached to the Federal High Court approached me as they routinely do and requested comments.”

Sowore said he obliged because he knows this is a standard practice, adding that these journalists are part of the court environment and they interact freely with lawyers, litigants, and observers.

“Even Mr @afamosigwe SAN himself witnessed a courtroom filled with media during my first day of trial,” Sowore said.