Sowore Denies Staging Courtroom Press Conference, Slams NBA

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly rejected claims by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) that he staged a press conference inside a courtroom, describing the allegation as “misleading” and a threat to democracy in Nigeria.

NBA president, Afam Osigwe (SAN), had on Wednesday warned that courtrooms should not be used as platforms for media briefings, reacting to an incident involving Sowore on Tuesday.

In response via 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.”

He added that the NBA’s assertion was false.

“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,” he stated.

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, followed by another motion to withdraw it.

“We were told that Justice M.S. Liman would only sign the ruling after addressing those motions. We protested this irregularity and were asked to wait for the judge to resume sitting,” he said.

While waiting, Sowore said media personnel attached to the Federal High Court approached him for comments, which he provided.

“I obliged. This is standard practice. These journalists are part of the court environment; 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,” he noted.

He emphasised, “I did not organise 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.”

Sowore accused the NBA of “selective outrage,” questioning its silence on prior abuses.

“Where was this energy when DSS 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?” he questioned.

He also criticised Senior Advocate Musbau Akinlami (SAN) for attempting to intimidate him in court.

“Instead, we now see an attempt to distort facts and shield misconduct by a senior member of the bar, Musbau Akinlami, SAN, who acted recklessly with impunity. 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,” he said.

Sowore further clarified that court records confirm the presence of both his lawyer and police counsel.

“Court records will show that my case was indeed before the court, with both the police counsel and my lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, present. After proceedings, the judge reaffirmed the decision striking out the case and ordered the release of my international passport, which had been unjustly seized. The police themselves found no wrongdoing, yet some lawyers tried to distort facts and shield misconduct,” he stated.

Sowore concluded his response to the NBA, highlighting the importance of integrity and consistency in upholding the rule of law

“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,” he added.