NBA Reprimands Omoyele Sowore Over Attempted Media Briefings Inside Federal High Court

 ​NBA President Afam Osigwe, SAN, has cautioned Omoyele Sowore against using the courtroom for "political theatrics," insisting that judicial premises are not for media briefings.

​The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has officially condemned the actions of activist and politician Omoyele Sowore following what it described as persistent attempts to hold media briefings within the premises of the Federal High Court in Abuja. In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, the NBA President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, cautioned that courtrooms are solemn venues dedicated to the administration of justice and must not be converted into platforms for publicity or political theatrics. This development has sparked conversation among legal practitioners and the public regarding the boundaries of activism within judicial spaces.

​According to the NBA, the incident involved Sowore entering the courtroom with several individuals carrying cameras and recording equipment, appearing to prepare for a press conference. The statement further noted that Sowore reportedly moved into the inner bar—a section reserved for legal practitioners—where he sat on a courtroom table and addressed various national issues. This occurred despite his case not being listed for hearing on that day and without the presence of a legal practitioner to represent him during the episode.

​The situation reportedly led to a confrontation within the courtroom when a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi, objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining decorum. The NBA emphasized that any behavior that undermines the dignity of the court or intimidates legal practitioners constitutes a serious affront to the rule of law. While acknowledging that every Nigerian has the right to observe court proceedings, the association maintained that such rights must be exercised responsibly and with respect for the institution.

​In its concluding remarks, the NBA called on court authorities to take proactive measures to ensure that courtrooms remain protected spaces for the orderly administration of justice. The association reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the integrity of judicial proceedings from acts capable of disrupting the legal process. The story continues to trend as many debate whether the NBA's stance is a necessary protection of the law or a restriction on the visibility of political activism in Nigeria.