Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has strongly condemned the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and its president,  Afam Osigwe, over what he describes as “falsehoods” surrounding his conduct at the Federal High Court.

In a detailed response issued via social media, Sowore labeled the NBA’s statement defending Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Musbau Akinlami as “yet another sad day for democracy in Nigeria.” He accused the association of defending one of its own at the expense of truth, fairness, and the rule of law.

The controversy centers on NBA claims that Sowore staged a press conference in court on a day when his case was allegedly not listed.

Sowore refuted this, explaining that he was at the Federal High Court to obtain a Certified True Copy of a ruling and order striking out a cybercrime charge filed against him in January 2025 by the then-IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

According to Sowore, upon arrival, the court registrar informed him that Justice M.S. Liman had declined to sign the order due to a secret ex parte motion filed by the police to relist the case, followed by another motion to withdraw the same application. The activist said he was asked to wait for the judge to resume sitting.

While waiting, Sowore stated that media personnel attached to the court approached him for comments, which he provided, stressing that this is routine for journalists in the court environment. He further pointed out that the NBA president, Famosigwe, had previously witnessed a courtroom filled with media during his first day of trial.

“I did not organize any press conference. I responded to questions, as I have done consistently over the years, including during my 2019 treason trial under the Muhammadu Buhari regime,” Sowore wrote, adding that the DSS would often smuggle him in and out of court using the judge’s elevator bank during that period.

Sowore criticized the NBA for what he called selective outrage, questioning why the association did not respond when operatives of the Department of State Services allegedly invaded a courtroom to abduct him before a sitting judge or when state actors trampled on citizens’ rights.

He accused SAN Musbau Akinlami of acting recklessly in court, attempting to intimidate and harass him, issuing threats, trying to destroy equipment, and even calling the police. Sowore noted that the police themselves found no wrongdoing, but insisted that the attempt underscored a growing culture of impunity.

Sowore emphasized that court records confirm his case was indeed before the court, with both the police counsel and his lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, present. He further noted that Justice Liman reaffirmed the striking out of the cybercrime case and ordered the release of his international passport, which had been unjustly seized.

“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,” Sowore said. “This is not just disappointing, it is dangerous. 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.”

Source: PM News