ADC Faults NBA Over Disciplinary Action Against Kalu Kalu

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over its decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against lawyer and politician, Kalu Kalu, following his remarks about Justice Peter Lifu….

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over its decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against lawyer and politician, Kalu Kalu, following his remarks about Justice Peter Lifu.

The opposition party accused the NBA of showing selective concern over issues affecting the judiciary and warned it against being drawn into what it described as a political campaign against the opposition. In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said it supported the principles of constructive engagement, restraint and respect for institutions but questioned the timing of the NBA’s intervention. The party argued that Kalu’s comments should be considered alongside previous judicial criticism of Justice Lifu’s conduct. It cited a June 2026 Court of Appeal ruling which, according to the ADC, described the judge’s conduct as the “highest form of judicial impertinence” and referred to a Supreme Court precedent on judicial misconduct. The party questioned why the NBA had not expressed similar concern when the appellate court reportedly made those observations. The ADC said it respected the NBA’s history of defending democracy and the rule of law but urged the association to avoid actions that could create the impression that it was taking sides in the country’s political disputes. It also alleged that misconduct by some judicial officers and lawyers posed a greater threat to public confidence in the administration of justice than political criticism of the judiciary. The party maintained that the NBA should be more concerned about allegations of judicial compromise and conduct capable of undermining the independence of the courts. “The NBA is not a political party. It must, therefore, not be seen to be behaving like a member of a political coalition against the opposition,” the statement said. The ADC further argued that respect for the judiciary should not prevent citizens and lawyers from speaking out against perceived injustice. While acknowledging the need for lawyers to exercise restraint, the party insisted that disciplinary measures should not be used to silence legitimate political opinions. “We agree that lawyers must exercise restraint. But there is no respectful way to address evil, and the NBA cannot teach us one,” Abdullahi said. The NBA’s decision to initiate disciplinary proceedings against Kalu has generated a fresh debate over the limits of public criticism of judicial officers and the responsibility of lawyers to maintain professional conduct.

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