The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticized the behavior of former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday, calling it a “disruption of courtroom decorum.”
Sowore was cautioned by Musibau Adetunbi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, for trying to address journalists inside the courtroom. A video of the incident, circulating online, shows the lawyer confronting Sowore and the media, emphasizing that the courtroom is not the place for a press conference.
Despite the disagreement, Sowore insisted that interacting with the media at that time was essential for transparency and respect while waiting for the judge to return. The Senior Advocate of Nigeria disagreed, stating that such behavior goes against established legal practices.
In a statement obtained by TVC News on Wednesday, NBA President Afam Osigwe SAN argued that courtrooms are meant for adjudication, and their openness should not extend to activities unrelated to that purpose. The NBA condemned Sowore’s disturbance of the courtroom environment and expressed support for those upholding decorum.
Osigwe emphasized that courtrooms are sacred spaces for justice administration and any behavior that undermines their dignity, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings is a serious violation of the rule of law. The use of courtrooms for publicity, advocacy stunts, or confrontation is deemed unacceptable and contrary to the discipline necessary in legal proceedings.
The NBA urged court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain safe spaces for justice administration and shielded from actions that may intimidate legal practitioners in carrying out their duties. The association vowed to uphold the integrity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings by promoting order, respect, disciplined advocacy, and responsible public access in courtrooms, rejecting spectacle, confrontation, or disorder.
