Human rights activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, clashed with Nigerian Correctional Service wardens on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja over journalists’ access to the court premises.
The confrontation followed the barricading of the court premises by prison wardens and Department of State Services (DSS) operatives, who reportedly prevented journalists from filming or entering the building to cover court activities.
Videos circulating online showed a confrontation involving security personnel and men dressed in traditional attire.
The incident occurred ahead of a scheduled hearing in Sowore’s case, during which his defence team was seeking to set aside a bench warrant and restore his initial bail arrangement.
After witnessing what was described as harassment of journalists and AAC supporters, Sowore intervened, resulting in a heated face-to-face confrontation with the officers.
Following the incident, Sowore issued a statement on his official X account, criticising the wardens over their alleged restrictions on journalists covering activities around the courthouse.
He argued that the Federal High Court was a public institution and should not be treated as the private property of security officials.
“These poorly prison wardens need to understand that the Federal High Court is a public institution, not their private property.
“Their apparent lack of understanding of the role of the media is deeply troubling.
“Journalists have a legitimate duty to report on court proceedings and activities around the courthouse.
“Prison officials must respect press freedom and stop acting as though they have absolute control over media coverage of people entering and leaving the court,” Sowore wrote.
The incident has generated mixed reactions on X, with some Nigerians supporting Sowore’s position on press freedom, while others questioned his approach to confrontations with security personnel.
It has also renewed discussions about press freedom, journalists’ access to court proceedings and the conduct of security personnel in public institutions.