The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned what it described as the misuse of courtroom space for media activities, warning that courts must not be transformed into platforms for publicity or press briefings.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), the association expressed concern over an incident involving activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore, at the Federal High Court in Abuja on March 24, 2026.
The NBA emphasised that courtrooms in a constitutional democracy are established primarily for the orderly administration of justice and not as arenas for public performance or advocacy outside judicial proceedings.
According to the association, while courtrooms remain open to the public to promote transparency and public confidence, such access must be exercised within the limits of decorum, discipline and respect for judicial authority.
“The courtroom exists solely for adjudication, and its openness cannot be stretched to permit activities unrelated to that purpose,” the statement noted.
The NBA alleged that Sowore entered the courtroom accompanied by individuals carrying camera phones and recording equipment and appeared to prepare for what resembled a press briefing within the courtroom premises.
It further claimed that members of his team arranged his appearance in a manner akin to a broadcast setting before he allegedly moved into the inner bar area, sat on one of the tables and began addressing cameras on what he described as national issues.
The association noted that Sowore’s case was not scheduled for hearing at the time and that he was not accompanied by legal counsel during the incident.
According to the NBA, the development reportedly created tension within the courtroom and led to a confrontation with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Musibau Adetunbi (SAN), who objected to the conduct and insisted on maintaining courtroom decorum.
Describing courtrooms as solemn spaces dedicated to justice administration, the association said any conduct capable of undermining the dignity of the court, intimidating legal practitioners or disrupting proceedings constitutes a serious affront to the rule of law.
While acknowledging the right of citizens to attend and observe court proceedings, the NBA stressed that such rights do not extend to converting courtrooms into venues for press engagements or activities capable of eroding judicial authority.
“The use of a courtroom as a venue for publicity, advocacy theatrics or confrontation is unacceptable and inconsistent with the discipline required in judicial proceedings,” the statement added.
The association therefore condemned what it termed the disruption of the courtroom environment and expressed solidarity with Adetunbi and other lawyers who insisted on maintaining professional standards.
It also called on court authorities to safeguard courtrooms as protected spaces for the administration of justice and to prevent acts capable of intimidating legal practitioners in the discharge of their duties.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
