NBA President Afam Osigwe Issues Warning on Courtroom Conduct
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly cautioned that courtrooms must not be utilized as platforms for media briefings or publicity stunts. This warning was delivered by NBA President Afam Osigwe (SAN) in a statement released on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, via the association's official X account. The statement was a direct response to a recent incident at the Federal High Court in Abuja involving human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore.
Courtrooms as Sanctuaries for Justice, Not Performance Arenas
In his statement, Osigwe emphasized that courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are open to the public to promote transparency and build public confidence. However, he stressed that this openness comes with a duty of restraint for all individuals who enter these spaces. "Courtrooms are not arenas for performance but sanctuaries for the orderly administration of justice," Osigwe declared. He further explained that access to the courtroom is a right that must be exercised within strict boundaries of decorum, discipline, and respect for judicial authority.
Osigwe pointed out that the primary purpose of a courtroom is adjudication, and its openness cannot be extended to permit activities unrelated to this fundamental function. "The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose," he stated, setting the context for the NBA's grave concerns regarding the Sowore incident.
Details of the Incident Involving Omoyele Sowore
The NBA President detailed the events of Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at the Federal High Court in Abuja. According to Osigwe, Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by several individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment. He then proceeded to set up what appeared to be preparations for a press conference within the courtroom itself. Members of his team attended to him, fanning his face and tidying his appearance in a manner reminiscent of a broadcast setting.
Notably, Sowore's case was not listed for hearing on that day, and he was not accompanied by any legal practitioner during this episode. He subsequently moved into the inner bar, sat on one of the tables, and began addressing what he described as "a range of national issues" as cameras were directed at him.
Tension and Confrontation in the Courtroom
This development led to significant tension within the courtroom and resulted in a confrontation with learned Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN). Adetunbi objected to Sowore's conduct and insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum. Osigwe explained that courtrooms are solemn spaces dedicated to the administration of justice, and any conduct that undermines the dignity of the court, intimidates legal practitioners, or disrupts proceedings constitutes a grave affront to the rule of law.
The NBA President added that using a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics, or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings. He acknowledged that every Nigerian, including Sowore, is entitled to attend and observe court proceedings, but such rights must be exercised responsibly and with due regard to courtroom decorum.
NBA's Firm Stance and Call to Action
Osigwe warned that public access to the courts does not extend to converting the courtroom into a platform for press briefings or actions capable of undermining the dignity and authority of the court, whether or not the court is in session. The NBA has therefore condemned Sowore's disruption of the courtroom environment and expressed solidarity with Adetunbi (SAN) and all lawyers who insisted on maintaining decorum.
The association has called 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. The NBA affirmed its commitment to defending the dignity of the legal profession and the sanctity of judicial proceedings. It stressed that the courtroom must remain a place of order, respect, disciplined advocacy, and responsible public access, not spectacle, confrontation, or disorder.
This incident highlights ongoing tensions between activist expressions and judicial protocols in Nigeria, with the NBA taking a firm stand to preserve the integrity of legal processes. The association's warning serves as a reminder of the critical balance between public access and courtroom decorum in a democratic society.
