The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against Kalu Kalu, a lawyer linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over comments he made about a Federal High Court judge.
Kalu, who is also a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on November 11. He was discussing a Federal High Court ruling against the ADC that has fuelled debate about its possible effect on Atiku’s potential 2027 presidential bid.During the interview, Kalu referred to Justice Peter O. Lifu as a “coconut judge” while arguing that the judgment did not bar Atiku from contesting.
The programme’s host interrupted him, cautioned against insulting a sitting judge, and asked him to withdraw the remark. Kalu complied, saying, “Because of time, I do withdraw it,” and added that disagreement with a judge could still be expressed by examining the case itself.
He also claimed the Court of Appeal had previously made similar observations about the judge.NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, condemned the language in a statement issued on November 13.
She said she had watched the recording and found the remarks troubling. While affirming that lawyers are free to criticise judgments, question reasoning, and highlight errors through proper legal arguments, she stressed that personal insults against judges are unacceptable.
Badejo-Okusanya noted that such attacks diminish public debate and damage the profession’s reputation. She referenced the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, which require lawyers to treat the courts with respect, dignity and honour, and pointed out that established channels exist for lodging complaints against judicial officers.
The NBA has formally referred the matter, along with the relevant broadcast material, to the LPDC for consideration.
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