‘You cannot intimidate me’ — Sowore, SAN clash in court
A heated confrontation occurred at the Federal High Court in Abuja between human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) over the appropriateness of addressing the media within the courtroom. The incident, captured in a viral video, highlights the ongoing tension between activists and legal traditionalists regarding judicial decorum.
The drama began when Sowore attempted to grant an interview to journalists while still inside the courtroom. The senior lawyer, who has not been formally identified in the footage but is noted to be a veteran of nearly thirty years, intervened to stop the briefing. He insisted that such activities should be conducted outside the court premises to maintain the sanctity of the environment.
Sowore, known for his vocal stance on civil liberties, took exception to the lawyer’s intervention. He accused the SAN of using his professional title to intimidate him, retorted: “You’re intimidating me and insulting my intelligence because you’re introducing yourself to me as a SAN. I also have my own SANs.” Sowore maintained that no specific law explicitly forbids a citizen from speaking to the press within the courtroom.
The senior lawyer remained firm, arguing that established legal practice dictates that the court should not be used as a press center. He countered Sowore’s stance by stating, “I have practised for close to three decades and have never seen this happen.” He urged the gathered journalists to relocate their equipment, emphasizing, “The court must serve as a venue of justice, not a conference.”
This clash follows a series of high-tension events in Sowore’s ongoing legal battles. Just last week, during a separate session in his criminal defamation trial, a judge reportedly ordered Sowore’s lead defense counsel, Marshall Abubakar, to “kneel down” for allegedly raising his voice—a directive the lawyer refused, sparking a national debate on Bar-Bench relations and judicial authority.
As the video of the latest confrontation continues to circulate, it has reignited discussions on the limits of courtroom conduct versus the right to information. While the senior lawyer focused on the “sanctity of the judiciary,” Sowore and his supporters view such restrictions as another attempt to suppress the voices of dissent within the halls of justice.
