The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has expressed serious concern over an incident involving Mr. Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 24, 2026, describing it as a breach of courtroom decorum and a threat to the dignity of the judicial process.
According to the NBA, Mr. Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment, setting up what appeared to be preparations for a press briefing. He then moved into the inner bar, sat on a courtroom table, and began addressing “a range of national issues” in the absence of his legal counsel and without any hearing scheduled for his case.
The incident reportedly caused tension within the courtroom and led to a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Musibau Adetunbi, who insisted on maintaining decorum and proper respect for the judicial process.
In a statement signed by NBA President Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, the association emphasized that courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to adjudication and the orderly administration of justice. While public access to court proceedings is a constitutional right, the NBA stressed that such access must be exercised responsibly and cannot be used for publicity stunts, press briefings, or actions that disrupt proceedings or intimidate legal practitioners.
“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,” the NBA said, adding that it stands in solidarity with Mr. Adetunbi and other lawyers who uphold courtroom decorum.
The NBA further called on court authorities to protect courtrooms as spaces for orderly judicial processes and warned that acts capable of undermining the authority of the courts will not be tolerated.
The association concluded by reiterating its commitment to defending the dignity of the legal profession and ensuring that courtrooms remain places of order, respect, disciplined advocacy, and responsible public access.
