- Warns NBA against fighting the Opposition
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a sharp rebuke to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), faulting its decision to launch disciplinary proceedings against lawyer and politician, Kalu Kalu, over his recent remarks regarding Justice Peter Lifu.
Delivering a stern warning to the legal body, the opposition party cautioned it to avoid being weaponized or dragged into partisan battles targeting political rivals.
The dispute centers on comments Kalu Kalu made concerning Justice Lifu, which subsequently prompted the NBA to initiate formal disciplinary action against him.
According to the ADC, the NBA’s move threatens to compromise its neutrality and draw the legal profession directly into ongoing political conflicts.
A statement signed on Saturday, November 14, 2026, by the ADC National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said while it agrees with the principles of productive engagement, temperance and respect for institutions, which the party has consistently advocated, it finds the Association’s sudden indignation curious.
“Why is the Nigerian Bar Association (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?
“In its June 2026 ruling, the Court of Appeal described Justice Lifu’s conduct as the ‘highest form of judicial impertinence’ and invoked a Supreme Court precedent characterising such conduct as judicial rascality and rendering a judge unfit for the Bench. Where was the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) when the judiciary itself was expressing such grave concerns about the conduct of one of its own?
“We respect the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) for its noble history in the defence of democracy and the rule of law. However, the Association must be careful not to allow itself to be perceived as throwing its hat into the political ring on the side of a ruling party that already boasts openly of hijacking our judicial institutions and the Nigerian Bar.
“It is not Kalu’s words that smear the judiciary. What discredits the Bench and the Bar is the conduct of conscienceless judges like Lifu and equally conscienceless lawyers who are alleged to operate a network of client judges in the service of conscienceless politicians in power. It is this conduct that mortgages the rule of law and erodes public confidence in the administration of justice.
“This is what should concern the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), rather than victimising a brave lawyer like Kalu for expressing his political views.
“The Nigerian Bar Association (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, whose demand is simply that justice be done, that the rule of law be protected and that democracy be preserved.
“The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cannot demand respect for the judiciary while appearing indifferent to conduct that brings the judiciary into disrepute. Respect for the courts must never become a requirement for silence in the face of injustice.”
Insisting that evil warrants no courtesy, the ADC said: “We agree that lawyers must exercise restraint. But there is no respectful way to address evil, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cannot teach us one.”
