Sowore rejects the NBA’s claims, insisting he never staged a press conference and accusing the association of misrepresenting events.
Human Rights activist Omoyele Sowore has issued a response to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), rejecting its account of events inside the Federal High Court in Abuja and accusing the association of distorting facts about what happened.
Sowore posted his reaction on X, arguing that the NBA’s statement wrongly accused him of organizing a press conference in the courtroom and misrepresented why he was at the court on March 24, 2026.
In his words, “I have read the statement issued by the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association @NigBarAssoc , and I must say this is yet another sad day for democracy in Nigeria.”
He said the NBA’s attempt to defend its member should not come “built on falsehoods.”
Explaining his presence at the court, Sowore said he went to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling striking out a cybercrime charge filed against him in January 2025. According to him, the registrar informed his team that the judge had not signed the order because the police had secretly filed an ex parte motion to relist the case and then another motion to withdraw it.
He noted that he and his team protested the development and were told to wait for the judge to take the motions. During that waiting period, Sowore said journalists attached to the Federal High Court approached him for comments as they normally do.
He stated: “I obliged. This is standard practice. These journalists are part of the court environment; they interact freely with lawyers, litigants, and observers.”
He added that he did not stage or set up any press conference but simply responded to questions, something he has done during previous trials, including his 2019 treason case.
Sowore questioned the NBA’s silence during previous occasions when he said state agents violated court orders and disrupted proceedings. He referenced earlier incidents involving security operatives, saying: “Where was this energy when @OfficialDSSNG operatives invaded a courtroom to abduct me before a sitting judge?”
He also accused Senior Advocate Musibau Akinlami, SAN, of attempting to intimidate him and his team in court, alleging threats, harassment, and attempts to damage their equipment during the exchange.
Sowore insisted his case was indeed before the court that day, with legal representatives from both sides present. He said the judge later reaffirmed the decision striking out the police case and ordered the release of his passport.
According to him, the NBA’s approach reflects “selective outrage,” a stance he believes weakens the association’s claim of defending justice. He ended by describing the development as dangerous for Nigeria’s democracy, stating:
“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.”
