Sowore’s Lawyer Should Respect Judicial Process And Stop Media Trials

By Adenike Ajanlekoko

The recent remarks credited to the lawyer of activist Omoyele Sowore, alleging that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) instituted a case against his client merely to waste the court’s time, are not only unfortunate but also deeply troubling.

Firstly, it is not within the competence of counsel to pronounce whether a case before a court is frivolous or a waste of judicial resources.

That authority rests solely with the presiding judge, who has the constitutional mandate to determine the merit or otherwise of any matter brought before the court. To preempt such a decision in the public space amounts to undermining the integrity of the judiciary.

Secondly, it must be emphasized that Sowore’s lawyer has no legal authority to call for the punishment of the IGP or any police officer when his client stands as the accused in the very matter at hand.

Such an approach is not only misplaced but distracts from the real issues the court is expected to determine.

Counsel’s duty is to defend his client within the bounds of the law, not to grandstand in the media or attempt to intimidate institutions.

The principle of sub judice remains sacrosanct in every democracy governed by the rule of law. Matters before a court of competent jurisdiction must not be reduced to topics of sensational public debate.

By discussing a case that has not even commenced substantive hearing in the media space, Sowore’s lawyer risks prejudicing the proceedings and eroding public confidence in due process.

This is therefore a call for caution. Lawyers, more than anyone else, must be guided by professional ethics and respect for judicial process.

Instead of rushing to conclusions or making pronouncements on outcomes that have not been tested in court, Sowore’s lawyer should channel his arguments and objections through the proper legal forum, the courtroom.

Justice is not served in press conferences or newspaper columns; it is served when all parties present their case before a judge and abide by the ruling of the court. The legal profession demands nothing less.

Adenike Ajanlekoko is the National Publicity Director of South West Youth Alliance and writes from Lagos.