ADC claims NBA is backing ruling party over Kalu's remarks

The African Democratic Congress has accused the Nigerian Bar Association of taking sides in the political fight against the opposition. This follows the NBA's decision to send lawyer Kalu Kalu to a disciplinary panel over his comments about a Federal High Court judge.

The ADC questioned why the NBA is pursuing disciplinary action against Kalu. They pointed out that the association did not show similar concern when the Court of Appeal spoke out against the judge, Justice Peter Lifu.

In a statement on Saturday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC warned the NBA not to get involved in the political crisis with the opposition. The party said it values professionalism and respect for institutions but called the NBA's reaction to Kalu's comments 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 mentioned a June 2026 Court of Appeal ruling. They claimed it described Lifu's actions as the “highest form of judicial impertinence” and cited a Supreme Court case that termed such behavior as judicial rascality. They questioned why the NBA did not speak out when the appellate court raised concerns about the judge's actions.

“We respect the NBA for its noble history in the defense of democracy and the rule of law.

“However, the Association must be careful not to allow itself to be seen as siding with a ruling party that openly boasts about controlling our judicial institutions and the Nigerian Bar,” the statement read.

The party said personal attacks against judges should not be encouraged. They argued that the NBA should also address actions that could damage public trust in the judiciary.

The ADC accused the NBA of focusing on Kalu's comments instead of dealing with what they called misconduct in the legal profession and judiciary.

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

The party also said that respect for the courts should not stop lawyers from speaking out against injustice.

“The NBA cannot demand respect for the judiciary while seeming indifferent to actions that bring the judiciary into disrepute.

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

The ADC concluded that while lawyers should show restraint, they should not be silent when they see 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 sent a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over Kalu's comments about Lifu. This was during the November 11 episode of Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

Kalu, who is an ADC member and a lawyer for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, called the judge a “coconut judge” while discussing the November 5 Federal High Court ruling on the party’s leadership crisis.

During the show, Kalu disagreed with interpretations that the judgment ruled Atiku out of the 2027 presidential race. He insisted that the decision did not invalidate his candidacy.

Okinbaloye interrupted him and warned him not to use the TV platform to attack a sitting judge. The presenter then asked him to take back the comment.

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

NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, said she sent the matter to the disciplinary committee along with the relevant broadcast materials.

She stated that lawyers have the right to examine judgments, challenge judicial decisions, and point out mistakes but should do so through legal arguments, not personal insults.

She noted that Kalu would have a chance to respond to the petition, and the committee would decide if his actions were professional misconduct and what punishment, if any, should follow.