TDHuman rights activist and former presidential candidate, Mr. Omoyele Sowore has issued a blistering rebuttal to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, following the Association’s condemnation of his conduct in an Abuja courtroom.
In a detailed statement, Sowore described the NBA’s position as “another sad day for democracy in Nigeria”.
He accused the Association of spreading falsehoods, shielding misconduct, and engaging in selective outrage.
Sowore’s Response to NBA Allegations
Sowore rejected the NBA’s claim that he staged a press conference in court on a day when his case was not listed.
He clarified that he was at the Federal High Court to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling striking out cybercrime charges filed against him in January 2025 by then Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
According to Sowore, the court registrar informed him that the judge had declined to sign the order.
The judge said the police had filed conflicting motions — one to relist the case and another to withdraw the same application.
He and his team protested the irregularity and were asked to wait for the judge to resume sitting.
While waiting, journalists attached to the court approached him for comments, which he obliged.
He insisted this was routine practice rather than a staged press conference, emphasizing that media presence in courtrooms is common.
He recalled that even during his 2019 treason trial under the late President Muhammadu Buhari administration, journalists interacted freely despite heavy security restrictions.
Accusations of Selective Outrage
Sowore, in the statement, accused the NBA of hypocrisy, defending Senior Advocate Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who confronted him in court.
Meanwhile, he said same NBA ignored past violations of judicial sanctity by state actors.
He asked pointedly: “Where was this energy when DSS operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct me before a sitting judge?”
“Where was the defense of the sanctity of the court when state actors repeatedly violated court orders and trampled on the rights of citizens?”
Sowore alleged that Adetunbi attempted to intimidate and harass him and his team, issuing threats.
He said he tried to destroy equipment and even calling the police — who ultimately found no wrongdoing.
Proceedings in the Courtroom
Contrary to the NBA’s assertion, Sowore maintained that his case was indeed before the court.
He added that both police counsel and his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, were present.
He said the judge reaffirmed the decision striking out the case and ordered the release of his international passport, which had been unjustly seized.
Sowore regretted that the NBA defends its members, while ignoring abuses by powerful state actors.
He concluded that it undermines its credibility and erodes public trust in the legal profession.
“The NBA cannot claim to defend the rule of law while ignoring abuses by powerful state actors and amplifying misleading narratives against victims of those abuses.
“This is not just disappointing, it is dangerous,” he said.
He urged the Association to embrace honesty, consistency, and courage, rather than what he described as “selective outrage.”
Takeaway from the Courtroom Exchange
This exchange between Sowore and the NBA highlights a growing tension between activist voices and Nigeria’s legal establishment.
The NBA insists on courtroom decorum.
Sowore, however, framed his actions as part of a broader struggle for democratic accountability and resistance against state impunity.
The clash underscores a deeper debate: whether the sanctity of the courtroom should be preserved strictly as a space of legal order.
Or, whether it can also serve as a platform for exposing irregularities and defending democratic rights.
Osigwe’s Position
This Dawn News had earlier reported that the NBA President—Osigwe, SAN strongly criticized activist Omoyele Sowore for his behavior at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
- Incident: Sowore reportedly entered the courtroom with supporters carrying recording devices.
He sat at the inner bar, and began addressing cameras on national issues, despite his case allegedly not being listed for hearing.
- Confrontation: His actions led to tension and a clash with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, who objected to the disruption and insisted on maintaining decorum.
- NBA’s Position: Osigwe condemned Sowore’s conduct as an affront to the dignity of the court.
He stressed that courtrooms are solemn spaces for adjudication, not platforms for publicity or theatrics.
- Call to Action: The NBA expressed solidarity with Adetunbi and urged court authorities to safeguard the sanctity of judicial proceedings against intimidation or disorder.
