Tension reportedly erupted outside the Federal High Court in Abuja on Wednesday after supporters of African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore allegedly attacked a journalist and damaged his vehicle.
The incident involved Olakunle Olasanmi of LEADERSHIP newspaper, whose Toyota Venza reportedly had its windscreen smashed during a confrontation with the crowd gathered around the court premises.
According to accounts from journalists present, Olasanmi arrived at the court at approximately 11 a.m. to cover proceedings involving Sowore, who is facing a cyberbullying trial.
Unable to find a parking space within the court premises, the journalist reportedly attempted to move his vehicle towards an alternative parking area outside the main gate.
However, as he approached the exit, a large group of Sowore’s supporters allegedly surrounded his vehicle and prevented him from proceeding.
Olasanmi reportedly appealed to the crowd to clear the road, but the situation escalated when individuals within the group allegedly struck and shattered his vehicle’s windscreen.
Sowore Allegedly Promised to Address the Damage
Following the incident, Olasanmi reportedly approached Sowore after the court proceedings and informed him about the damage to his vehicle.
According to the account, Sowore initially indicated that he would take responsibility for the incident. However, the journalist’s colleagues later claimed that he did not follow through on the assurance.
Other Journalists Raise Concerns
The incident also prompted other journalists covering the proceedings to recount their experiences with Sowore and his supporters.
Kayode Lawal, a former chairman of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC), alerted colleagues to the alleged attack, describing how Olasanmi’s vehicle was damaged outside the court gate.
Celestina Iria also recalled a previous disagreement with Sowore over his comments concerning TVC’s coverage of the court proceedings.
She alleged that Sowore had questioned why a TVC cameraman was recording him during an earlier court session and subsequently shared footage of the encounter on his social media account.
Iria further referenced another incident on Monday, when Sowore allegedly accused the cameraman of pretending to record him despite the camera lens being closed.
Meanwhile, Vanguard newspaper journalist Ikechukwu Nnochirim said he encountered difficulties entering the court premises because of the large crowd.
He reportedly had to repeatedly sound his vehicle’s horn before supporters eventually made way for him.
Nnochirim also questioned the continued presence of protesters around the court whenever Sowore’s case comes up, suggesting that authorities should address the situation.
Background to Sowore’s Court Case
Sowore is standing trial before Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court over allegations relating to cyberbullying.
The case reportedly concerns comments attributed to him about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Sowore has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The alleged attack on Olasanmi has raised fresh concerns about journalists’ safety and their ability to carry out professional duties without intimidation or obstruction while covering politically sensitive court proceedings.
OBASANJONEWS24 will continue to follow developments surrounding the case.
