NBA Files Petition Against Lawyer for Disparaging Judge

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has submitted a petition to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee regarding remarks made by lawyer Kalu Kalu during the November 11, 2026 edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. Kalu made disparaging comments about Justice Peter Lifu, who delivered a judgment on November 5, 2026, concerning the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress and its implications for Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition.

The program host, Seun Okinbaloye, interrupted Kalu, stating that he would not allow disparagement of a sitting judge and requested Kalu to withdraw his statement, which Kalu eventually did. NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya condemned Kalu's remarks, asserting that lawyers must maintain professional conduct and that personal attacks on judges undermine public discourse.

She noted that the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, require lawyers to treat courts with respect and that there are appropriate channels for filing complaints against judicial officers. Badejo-Okusanya has forwarded a formal petition and relevant broadcast materials for consideration.