Courtroom Showdown: Sowore, SAN clash over press briefing (video)

By Tolulope Oke

A mild drama unfolded at the Federal High Court as activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, clashed with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) over an attempt to address journalists inside the courtroom.

The incident, captured in a video now circulating online, showed the senior lawyer confronting Sowore and members of the media, insisting that the courtroom was not an appropriate venue for a press conference.

Sowore, however, disagreed, arguing that the courtroom is a place of justice and that discussing legal matters with the press while awaiting proceedings was within his rights. He maintained that no law expressly prohibits addressing journalists inside the courtroom.

According to him, engaging the media at that moment was a matter of openness and respect, especially while waiting for the judge to return.

The SAN rejected the argument, stating that such conduct was against long-standing legal practice.

“I have practised for close to three decades and have never seen this happen,” the lawyer said, insisting that press briefings should be held outside the courtroom.

He further addressed journalists present, urging them to relocate any media engagement outside the court premises.

Citing provisions of the Federal High Court regulations, the SAN emphasised that the courtroom must remain a place strictly for judicial proceedings.

“The court must serve as a venue of justice, not conference,” he said.

Watch the video here.