Again, Sowore in courtroom clash with lawyer

Another confrontation erupted around human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday after a lawyer allegedly described him as a “tout”, provoking an angry reaction from his supporters.

The incident occurred before proceedings began in Sowore’s ongoing cybercrime trial over social media posts in which he described President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal”.

The lawyer, identified only as Yakubu, reportedly made the derogatory remark, triggering a heated exchange with Sowore’s supporters.

The confrontation quickly escalated into a shouting match, with some supporters allegedly threatening to teach the lawyer a “lesson” after the day’s hearing.

The incident unfolded ahead of proceedings presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar.

Monday’s confrontation follows a similar incident on March 24, 2026, when Sowore engaged in a heated argument with Senior Advocate of Nigeria Musibau Adetunbi at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Adetunbi had challenged the activist for granting an interview to journalists inside a courtroom, insisting that the venue was not meant for press briefings.

Sowore rejected the objection, accusing the senior lawyer of attempting to intimidate him.

The confrontation subsequently drew criticism from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which backed Adetunbi and called for respect for courtroom decorum.

Another heated exchange occurred on August 3 during Sowore’s trial, when his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika, SAN, clashed with prosecuting counsel Akinlolu Kehinde, SAN, over allegations that the defence was deliberately delaying proceedings.

Justice Umar cautioned both lawyers over their conduct before adjourning the case.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations arising from his social media criticism of President Tinubu.