By: Ayoade Esther Damola
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has replied the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), denying an allegation that he staged a press conference in the court.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN) had warned on Wednesday that the courtrooms should not be used as a stage for media briefings.
Osigwe issued the warning via a statement shared on the association’s official X account, in reaction to an incident involving Sowore on Tuesday.
Reacting to the NBA and its President via a post on his verified X handle, Sowore said: “I have read the statement issued by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association, and I must say this is yet another sad day for democracy in Nigeria. While I understand that the NBA may feel compelled to defend one of its own, such defense must not be built on falsehoods.
“The truth matters especially from an institution that claims to uphold fairness, justice and the rule of law. First, the NBA and its president falsely claimed that I staged a press conference in court on a day when my case was not listed. This is incorrect.
“I was present at the Federal High Court to obtain the Certified True Copy of a ruling and order striking out a baseless cybercrime charge filed against me in January 2025 by the then illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.”
Sowore explained that upon arrival, the court registrar informed him that the judge had declined to sign the order because the police had secretly filed an ex parte motion to relist the case, and then curiously filed another motion to withdraw that same ex parte application.
He said they were told that Justice M.S. Liman would only sign the ruling after addressing those motions, and as such, they protested “this irregularity and were asked to wait for the judge to resume sitting. While waiting, media personnel attached to the Federal High Court approached me as they routinely do and requested comments.”
Sowore said he obliged because he knows this is standard practice, adding that these journalists are part of the court environment and they interact freely with lawyers, litigants, and observers.
“Even Mr. @afamosigwe SAN himself witnessed a courtroom filled with media during my first day of trial,” Sowore
“I did not organize any press conference. I responded to questions, as I have done consistently over the years, including during my 2019 treason trial under the @MBuhari regime even though the @OfficialDSSNG would smuggle me in and out of the court using the judge’s elevator bank.
“The NBA’s selective outrage is troubling. Where was this energy when @OfficialDSSNG 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?
“Instead, we now see an attempt to distort facts and shield misconduct a by a senior member of the bar, Musbau Akinlami, SAN who acted recklessly with impunity.”
Sowore said it is also important to note that court records will show that his case was indeed before the court, with both the police counsel and his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, present.
He stated that after proceedings, the judge reaffirmed his decision striking out the case and ordered the release of his international passport, which had been unjustly seized.
“The attempt by some lawyers, including Senior Advocate Musbau, to intimidate and harass us in court, issuing threats, attempting to destroy equipment, and even calling the police, only underscores the growing culture of impunity,” Sowore lamented.
“The police themselves found no wrongdoing but I understand that even Musbau. SAN didn’t bargain for what this teachable moment presented at the end of the encounter. So, no surprises here about this.”
He argued that 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. If the NBA truly seeks to protect the integrity of the legal profession and the courts, it must begin with honesty, consistency, and courage, not selective outrage. Indeed, this is another sad day for democracy in Nigeria,” Sowore added.
