Party questions disciplinary action against Kalu Kalu, alleges selective response to criticism of Justice Peter Lifu
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) of taking sides in the political crisis involving the opposition after the association referred lawyer Kalu Kalu to its disciplinary committee over comments about a Federal High Court judge, Justice Peter Lifu.
In a statement on Saturday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the NBA’s response as selective, questioning why it had not shown similar concern when the Court of Appeal criticised the judge’s conduct.
The ADC cited a June 2026 Court of Appeal ruling which it said described Lifu’s conduct as the “highest form of judicial impertinence”.
It warned the NBA against being drawn into the political dispute, while maintaining that lawyers should be able to speak against perceived injustice without facing victimisation.
The NBA had on Friday petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over remarks Kalu made during the November 11 edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
Kalu, a lawyer to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and ADC member, described Justice Lifu as a “coconut judge” while discussing the November 5 Federal High Court judgment concerning the party’s leadership crisis.
During the programme, Kalu disputed interpretations that the judgment had effectively ruled Atiku out of the 2027 presidential race. The presenter interrupted him and asked him to withdraw the remark, which he eventually did.
NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, said the petition was submitted alongside relevant broadcast materials.
She maintained that lawyers could scrutinise judgments and challenge judicial reasoning but should do so through legal arguments rather than personal attacks.
Badejo-Okusanya added that Kalu would have an opportunity to respond, while the disciplinary committee would determine whether his conduct amounted to professional misconduct and whether any sanction was warranted.
The ADC, however, insisted that respect for the judiciary should not prevent lawyers from speaking out against conduct they consider unjust.