NBA petitions disciplinary panel over lawyer’s remarks against judge

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over remarks made by lawyer Kalu Kalu against a judge during a television program. The NBA's President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, declared this on her X handle, denouncing Kalu's comments during the November 11, 2026, episode of Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

The lawyer was discussing the November 5, 2026, Federal High Court ruling by Justice Peter Lifu regarding the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its impact on Atiku Abubakar's 2027 presidential campaign. Kalu made derogatory personal remarks about Justice Lifu during the broadcast. When Kalu made the remarks, the host interrupted him, saying, "I would not allow you to use this platform to disparage a sitting judge...

I wouldn't allow you to do that." Eventually, Kalu responded, "Because of time, I do withdraw it." Badejo-Okusanya expressed her disapproval of the remarks, stating that lawyers must maintain professional conduct, even when disagreeing with judicial decisions. She emphasized that personal attacks on judicial officers harm public discourse and tarnish the legal profession's reputation.

The NBA president argued that while lawyers have the right to scrutinize judgments and challenge judicial reasoning, they should do so without resorting to personal abuse. The NBA has filed a formal petition with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, requesting an investigation into whether Kalu's comments constitute professional misconduct.

They have also provided the committee with relevant broadcast materials. Badejo-Okusanya encouraged lawyers to express their disagreements with judicial decisions professionally, as their conduct impacts public perception of the legal profession.