The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against a lawyer, Kalu Kalu, over alleged disparaging remarks he made about a Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu.
The petition followed Kalu’s criticism of the judge after his November 5, 2026 judgment sacking the national leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by former Senate President David Mark, and invalidating decisions taken by the party under his leadership.
The ADC yesterday condemned the NBA’s petition, accusing the association of taking sides in the political battle against the opposition.
During a television interview on November 11, Kalu disagreed with the general interpretation of the judgment, particularly claims that it disqualified the ADC’s presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, from contesting next year’s election. He maintained that the judgment contained no such pronouncement.
He subsequently described Justice Lifu as a ‘coconut judge’.
When the interviewer cautioned him over the alleged insult, Kalu responded: ‘Because of time, I do withdraw it.’
In a statement on Friday, NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya (SAN), condemned what she described as unacceptable language directed at the judge.
Badejo-Okusanya, who said she personally watched the interview, urged lawyers to maintain professional conduct at all times, including when expressing disagreement with judicial decisions.
She said disagreement with a judge’s decision, regardless of how strongly held, could not justify personal attacks against the judicial officer who delivered the judgment.
The NBA president acknowledged that lawyers had the right to scrutinise judgments, challenge judicial reasoning and expose errors, but insisted that such criticism must be grounded in legal arguments rather than personal insults.
According to her, personal attacks against judges could neither establish that a judgment was wrong nor provide any legal remedy for an aggrieved litigant.
‘Instead, they diminish the quality of public debate and bring our profession into disrepute,’ she said.
She added that the NBA could not remain silent over language that ‘falls below the standards we expect of our members.’
Badejo-Okusanya said the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, require lawyers to uphold high standards of professional behaviour and treat courts with respect, dignity and honour.
She also noted that the rules provide appropriate channels through which complaints against judicial officers could be presented to the relevant authorities.
The NBA attached a recording of Kalu’s television interview to its petition for consideration by the LPDC.
ADC to NBA: You’re siding with ruling party
The ADC questioned the NBA’s decision to seek disciplinary action against Kalu, accusing the association of applying its standards selectively.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party wondered why the NBA had not expressed similar concern when the Court of Appeal criticised the conduct of Justice Lifu.
‘Why is the NBA only now finding its voice because a politician, who also happens to be a lawyer, has said something that some people find uncomfortable?’ Abdullahi said.
He added: ‘What has Kalu Kalu said about Justice Peter Lifu that the Court of Appeal has not already said?
‘We respect the NBA for its noble history in the defence of democracy and the rule of law.
‘However, the Association must be careful not to allow itself to be perceived as throwing its hat into the political ring on the side of a ruling party that already boasts openly of hijacking our judicial institutions and the Nigerian Bar.’
The party acknowledged that personal attacks against judicial officers should not be encouraged, but argued that the NBA should also address conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the judiciary.
It accused the association of concentrating on Kalu’s remarks while overlooking what it described as alleged misconduct within the legal profession and the judiciary.
‘This is what should concern the NBA, rather than victimising a brave lawyer like Kalu for expressing his political views,’ the party said.
It maintained that respect for the courts should not prevent lawyers from speaking out against perceived injustice.
‘The NBA cannot demand respect for the judiciary while appearing indifferent to conduct that brings the judiciary into disrepute,’ the ADC said.