You Turned A Blind Eye When DSS Invaded The Court, Sowore Tells NBA

The controversy over the allegation against Omoyele Sowore, that he held a press conference inside a courtroom, is yet to abate as the Publisher of Sahara Reporters has come out to accuse the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, of turning a blind eye when the operatives of the Directorate of State Services, DSS, invaded the Court to arrest him

The NBA, through its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe, had issued a statement earlier  condemning the alleged holding of a press conference by the activist in court.

However, Sowore had denied ever organising any press conference in the courtroom.

He described the NBA president’s position on the matter as another sad day for democracy in Nigeria.

He also accused the NBA of lying about the matter.

Sowore said the truth matters, especially from an institution that claims to uphold fairness, justice and the rule of law.

He said, “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.

“Upon arrival, the court registrar informed me that the judge had declined to sign the order because the @PoliceNG had secretly filed an ex parte motion to relist the case, and then curiously filed another motion to withdraw that same ex parte application.

“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.

“While waiting, media personnel attached to the Federal High Court approached me as they routinely do and requested comments.

“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.

“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 described the NBA’s selective outrage as troubling.

He asked where the NBA was when the DSS operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct him before a sitting judge?

“Where was this energy when the DSS operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct me before a sitting judge? Where was the defence 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 by a senior member of the bar, Musbau Akinlami, SAN, who acted recklessly with impunity.

“It is also important to note that 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 his decision striking out the case and ordered the release of my 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. The police themselves found no wrongdoing, but I understand that even Musbau. SAN did not bargain for the teachable moment that presented at the end of the encounter. So, no surprises here about this.

“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”.