Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has rejected claims by the Nigerian Bar Association that he staged a press conference inside a courtroom, describing the allegation as “false” and a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
NBA President Afam Osigwe had issued a warning on Wednesday, stressing that courtrooms should not be used as platforms for media briefings, in reference to Sowore’s appearance at the Federal High Court on Tuesday.
In a statement shared on his verified X account, Sowore clarified that he was at the court to collect a Certified True Copy of the ruling that struck out a cybercrime charge filed against him in January 2025 by the then illegal IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
“First, the NBA and its president falsely claimed that I staged a press conference on a day my case was not listed. This is incorrect. I was present to obtain the court order striking out a baseless charge,” he said.
Sowore explained that upon arrival, the court registrar informed him that the judge had not yet signed the order due to motions filed by the police to relist and subsequently withdraw the case. “We were asked to wait until the judge resumed, and while waiting, media personnel approached me for comments, which I provided,” he said, stressing that he did not organize any press conference.
He criticised the NBA for “selective outrage,” noting the association had remained silent during past violations of court orders, including attempts by DSS operatives to abduct him during a previous trial.
Sowore also accused Senior Advocate Musbau Akinlami of attempting to intimidate him in court, describing actions such as threats, interference with equipment, and calls to police as a sign of growing impunity among some legal practitioners.
He further highlighted that court records show both his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, and the police counsel were present during the proceedings. “The judge reaffirmed the decision to strike out the case and ordered the release of my international passport, which had been wrongly seized. Yet some lawyers sought to distort facts and protect misconduct,” Sowore added.
The activist emphasised that responding to journalists within a courtroom is standard practice and does not constitute a press conference, defending his actions as consistent with previous court interactions.
