- Activist Omoyele Sowore and several supporters caused a stir at the Federal High Court during the hearing of Justice Crack’s bail application over alleged restrictions on media access.
- The incident sparked mixed reactions online, with Nigerians debating court transparency, security, and public access to judicial proceedings.
There was drama at the Federal High Court on Friday as activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, alongside several Nigerians, challenged alleged restrictions preventing media personnel and members of the public from entering the courtroom during the hearing of Justice Crack’s bail application.
Videos circulating online showed Sowore confronting officials at the court premises while insisting that journalists and observers had the right to access public court proceedings.
According to Sowore:
“You have no right to prevent the media from entering the court.”
The development quickly triggered mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians supporting the call for transparency while others criticized the disruption around the court premises.
Reacting to the incident, @kingkhone4real wrote:
“What is wrong with senseless Obidients and Sowore. The suspected criminal has told you guys not to disrupt the court proceedings.”
Another user, @anasuachara, claimed the restriction affected an ongoing court matter.
“Unfortunately a case has just been adjourned in the court because the witness was among those not allowed inside. It’s sad.”
Some social media users argued that if the judge did not specifically restrict media access, security operatives should not impose such limitations.
@CUdeachara commented:
“If the judge says no media then media should not be allowed, not police officers deciding.”
Others expressed concerns that the protests and crowding around the court premises could disrupt judicial activities.
@larrizy wrote:
“At times people just want to sit down in courts and listen to cases so they can learn. Now with these unnecessary protests in court premises, it would be difficult.”
Meanwhile, some Nigerians defended Sowore and stressed that public court proceedings should remain accessible.
@lokky_xy stated:
“Public courts should be open to the public and media. No one should block journalists or citizens from observing proceedings.”
Another commenter, @LyfAcrosBorders, added:
“You can manage security without blocking access to a public case. There has to be order, not chaos.”
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