coalition of civil society organizations (CSOs) has commended the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Afam Osigwe (SAN), for his commitment to upholding the rule of law following his presence at the Federal High Court in Abuja during the arraignment of pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore.
Osigwe’s courtroom appearance on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, was seen as a strong statement in support of judicial transparency and fairness. Sowore, a well-known human rights advocate, was arraigned on alleged cybercrime charges, a development that has sparked concerns among rights groups about the use of legal instruments to suppress dissent.
In a joint statement, the CSOs praised Osigwe’s “principled demonstration of support for the rule of law,” highlighting the importance of the NBA in safeguarding democratic values and ensuring justice is upheld in the country.
“The NBA President’s presence in court sent a strong message about the importance of transparency, fairness, and accountability in the judicial process,” the statement read. “It demonstrated that the legal profession remains vigilant and committed to upholding fundamental rights as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.”
The organizations further called on the NBA to institutionalize court observation by setting up legal monitoring teams to track sensitive trials and advocate for judicial reforms. They urged the NBA to remain proactive in challenging the weaponization of the Cybercrime Act against activists and journalists.
“We urge the NBA to work with relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, to develop a framework for monitoring cases that require independent observation,” the CSOs added. “The collective responsibility of legal practitioners, civil society, and citizens is essential to the preservation of democracy and the rule of law.”
The statement was signed by several organizations, including Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Hope Behind Bars Africa, Restorative Justice for Africa Initiative, Paradigm Initiative (PIN), Yiaga Africa, NULAI Nigeria, BO Foundation for Inclusive Media (BOFIM), Human Rights Journalists Network Nigeria (HRJN), International Press Centre (IPC), Global Rights, Nigeria Network of NGOs, Sesor Empowerment Foundation, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), Dataphyte Foundation, Digicivic Initiative, and TechHerNG.
The CSOs reiterated their call for continued vigilance in the defense of justice and democracy, emphasizing that the legal community must take a leading role in ensuring judicial independence and the protection of fundamental human rights in Nigeria.
