A heated exchange at the Federal High Court in Abuja has sparked a war of words between the Nigerian Bar Association and activist Omoyele Sowore, after a confrontation disrupted proceedings.
The incident, which happened on Tuesday, involved Sowore and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi, following the activist’s attempt to speak with journalists inside the courtroom.
A video from the scene showed Adetunbi objecting, insisting that the courtroom was not the right place for media interactions. Sowore, however, pushed back, accusing the senior lawyer of trying to intimidate him.
“You’re introducing yourself as a SAN to intimidate me and insult my intelligence. I also have my own SANs,” Sowore said during the exchange.
In a statement released the following day, NBA President Afam Osigwe criticised Sowore’s behaviour, describing it as a breach of courtroom decorum and an affront to the rule of law.
The association alleged that Sowore entered the courtroom with individuals carrying recording devices and appeared to be preparing for a press briefing. It further claimed he moved into the inner bar and addressed issues despite not having a scheduled case or legal representation present.
While acknowledging that courts are open to the public, the NBA stressed that such access must be exercised with respect, warning that courtrooms should not be turned into stages for publicity or confrontation. It also expressed support for Adetunbi and other lawyers involved.
Sowore, however, dismissed the claims, accusing the NBA of misrepresenting what happened and reacting selectively.
He explained that he was at the court to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling that had struck out a cybercrime charge filed against him by the police in January 2025. According to him, he remained in court due to procedural clarifications and simply responded to questions from journalists, as he has done over the years.
He also criticised the NBA for what he described as silence on alleged misconduct by state authorities, including a past arrest he said occurred within court premises. Sowore further accused some lawyers at the scene of attempting to intimidate him and his team.
He added that the court eventually reaffirmed its earlier decision striking out the case and ordered the release of his international passport.
