Stephen Legal Blog

DEAR SOWORE, THE COURT IS NOT A MARKET SQUARE

Nigerian politician and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was recently seen in a trending video having a confrontational argument with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria inside the courtroom. The subject of controversy was that Sowore was attempting to grant an interview to members of the press inside the courtroom of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja. The Senior Counsel made efforts to stop Sowore and the press members from continuing with the interview. Sowore resisted. So too the members of the press who had insisted that the Senior Lawyer should explain the legal basis for attempting to stop the interview.

While the Senior Advocate tried to offer explanations touching on the status of the court, Sowore and the press crew would have none of that. They expressed the view that so long as the presiding judge was yet to enter the courtroom, they reserved the right to conduct the interview on the ground that the court is a public place. They contended that notwithstanding that the Senior Advocate was a lawyer with special privileges, other members of the public have special rights to attend court, sit in the gallery, and conduct press interviews as they may desire.

Every effort made by the Senior Advocate to discourage Sowore and the press members from conducting the interview was turned into a show of chaotic disorder and inciteful comments. This continued unabated until a court orderly was seen urging everyone involved to maintain decorum as she announced the imminent arrival of the judge.

But who is right, Sowore or the SAN?

Find out. Link in comments.

DEAR SOWORE, THE COURT IS NOT A MARKET SQUARE Nigerian politician and human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, was recently seen in a trending video having a confrontational argument with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria inside the courtroom. The subject of controversy was that Sowore was attempting to grant an interview to members of the press insid...

ELEGBE V. HP INTL SCHOOLS LTD: SUPREME COURT DECIDES JURISDICTION OF THE NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT IN DEFAMATION CASES

A recent decision emanating from the stables of the Supreme Court of Nigeria dwells on the jurisdiction of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN or NIC) in defamation cases. This was in Elegbe & Anor. v. HP International Schools Limited & Ors (Suit No. SC/CV/899/2025) decided on 20 February 2026.

The Supreme Court, in discharging its duty as the policy-making court, sought to provide the necessary guide to assist lower courts in deciding issues of jurisdiction of the NICN vis-à-vis the State High Court on defamation cases. But whether the apex Court succeeded in providing the much-needed clarity as desired is left to be seen.

Quite an interesting case.

Link in comments.

May peace reign in our world!

FALSE ACCUSATION OF R**E: ANY CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCE?

It's sometimes baffling that some of those who vigorously campaign against r**e do not want to hear of, or participate in any conversation relating to false r**e accusations... This clear bias seems like an intentional move to downplay the gravity of such conduct of making false r**e accusation. But without sentiments, the law is there for all—both victims of r**e and victims of false accusations of r**e.

FALSE ACCUSATION OF R**E: ANY CRIMINAL CONSEQUENCE? Introduction R**e is a crime under Nigerian law. For many years, the offence of r**e in Nigeria was defined in the context of women only. Section 357 of the Criminal Code defines r**e as having unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman without lawful consent. Thus, the slightest pe*******on of a woman’...