ADC accuses NBA of siding with ruling party over Kalu’s comments

The African Democratic Congress has accused the Nigerian Bar Association of taking sides in the political battle against the opposition following its decision to refer a lawyer, Kalu Kalu, to a disciplinary panel over his comments about a Federal High Court judge.

The party questioned the association’s decision to pursue disciplinary action against Kalu.

It argued that it had failed to show similar concern when the Court of Appeal criticised the conduct of the judge, Justice Peter Lifu.

In a statement on Saturday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned the NBA against allowing itself to be drawn into the political crisis involving the opposition.

The party said it supported professional restraint and respect for institutions but described the association’s reaction to Kalu’s remarks as selective.

“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?

“What has Kalu Kalu said about Justice Peter Lifu that the Court of Appeal has not already said?” it asked.

The ADC referred to a June 2026 Court of Appeal ruling which it said described Lifu’s conduct as the “highest form of judicial impertinence” and cited a Supreme Court precedent characterising such conduct as judicial rascality.

It questioned why the NBA had not spoken out when the appellate court raised concerns about the judge’s conduct.

“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 statement read.

The party maintained that personal attacks against judicial officers should not be encouraged but argued that the NBA should also address conduct that could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.

The ADC accused the NBA of focusing on Kalu’s comments rather than addressing what it described as alleged misconduct within the legal profession and judiciary.

“This is what should concern the NBA, rather than victimising a brave lawyer like Kalu for expressing his political views,” it added.

The party further argued that respect for the courts should not prevent lawyers from speaking against perceived injustice.

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“The NBA cannot demand respect for the judiciary while appearing indifferent to conduct that brings the judiciary into disrepute.

“Respect for the courts must never become a requirement for silence in the face of injustice,” the statement read.

The ADC concluded that although lawyers should exercise restraint, they should not be expected to remain silent when confronted with wrongdoing.

“We agree that lawyers must exercise restraint. But there is no respectful way to address evil, and the NBA cannot teach us one,” it said.

The NBA had on Friday petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over comments Kalu made about Lifu during the November 11 edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

Kalu, who is a member of the ADC and a lawyer to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, had described the judge as a “coconut judge” while discussing the November 5 Federal High Court judgment on the party’s leadership crisis.

During the programme, Kalu disputed interpretations that the judgment had effectively ruled Atiku out of the 2027 presidential race, insisting that the decision did not invalidate his candidacy.

His comments about the judge prompted Okinbaloye to interrupt him and caution him against using the television platform to disparage a sitting judicial officer.

The presenter subsequently asked him to withdraw the remark.

Kalu eventually responded, “Because of time, I do withdraw it.”

NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, said she referred the matter to the disciplinary committee alongside the relevant broadcast materials.

She maintained that lawyers had the right to scrutinise judgments, challenge judicial reasoning and identify errors but should do so through legal arguments rather than personal attacks.

She said Kalu would have an opportunity to respond to the petition, while the committee would determine whether his conduct amounted to professional misconduct and the appropriate sanction, if any.