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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned the conduct of Omoyele Sowore, an activist, following disruption at the federal high court in Abuja on Tuesday.
In a viral video, Sowore was seen engaging in an exchange with Musibau Adetunbi, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) inside the courtroom while attempting to grant an interview to journalists.
Adetunbi had sought to stop the interaction, citing courtroom rules, but Sowore argued that since the judge had not yet entered, they were within their rights to proceed.
The disagreement escalated, with both sides debating the limits of public access to courtrooms.
The situation turned chaotic until a court orderly intervened, urging calm ahead of the judge’s arrival.
Reacting in a statement signed by Afam Osigwe, its president, the NBA said it viewed the incident “with grave concern”, noting that courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public not as arenas for performance, but as sanctuaries for the orderly administration of justice.
“Courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to the administration of justice. Any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law,” the statement reads.
It added that the use of a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is “unacceptable”.
The association said while citizens have the right to access court proceedings, such rights must be exercised responsibly.
“Public access to the courts does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for press briefings,” the statement added.
“The NBA therefore condemns Mr. Sowore’s disruption of the courtroom environment and expresses solidarity with Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, and all lawyers who insisted on maintaining decorum.
“We also call on court authorities to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice and free from acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners in the discharge of their professional duties.”
