Tension in Abuja court as lawyer calls Sowore ‘tout’

A fresh confrontation broke out at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday after a lawyer allegedly referred to activist and African Action Congress, AAC, presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, as a “tout”

The remark reportedly sparked an angry response from Sowore’s supporters.

The incident occurred before the commencement of proceedings 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 remark, prompting a heated exchange between him and Sowore’s supporters at the court premises.

Tensions escalated into a shouting match, with some of the activist’s supporters allegedly threatening to teach the lawyer a “lesson” after the hearing.

The confrontation took place ahead of proceedings before Justice Mohammed Umar.

Monday’s incident follows an earlier altercation involving Sowore and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Musibau Adetunbi, at the same court on March 24, 2026.

During that encounter, Adetunbi challenged Sowore over an interview he granted journalists inside the courtroom, arguing that the venue was not appropriate for press briefings. Sowore rejected the objection and accused the senior lawyer of trying to intimidate him.

The dispute drew a reaction from the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, which expressed support for Adetunbi and urged respect for courtroom decorum.

Another disagreement occurred on August 3, 2026, 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 the proceedings.

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

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services, DSS, over allegations linked to his social media criticism of President Tinubu.