The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) over alleged insulting remarks made by lawyer Kalu Kalu against a Federal High Court judge during a Channels Television interview.
The petition followed Kalu’s appearance on the November 11 edition of Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye, where he discussed a judgment delivered by Justice Peter O. Lifu concerning the leadership crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its implications for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition.
In a statement dated November 13, the NBA president said she obtained and watched a recording of the programme after her attention was drawn to the lawyer’s comments.
She condemned the remarks, stressing that lawyers could disagree with judicial decisions, challenge their reasoning and point out errors without resorting to personal attacks against judges.
Badejo-Okusanya maintained that political disagreements and public controversies did not excuse legal practitioners from observing professional standards, whether in court or during television appearances.
She cited the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, which require lawyers to maintain high standards of conduct and treat the courts with respect, dignity and honour.
The NBA president, however, emphasised that the association did not seek to shield judges from criticism, noting that judicial decisions could be rigorously examined and challenged through appropriate legal processes.
She said personal insults against judicial officers neither established that a judgment was wrong nor offered any legal remedy to dissatisfied litigants.
Badejo-Okusanya disclosed that she had forwarded a formal petition, alongside the relevant broadcast recording, to the LPDC for consideration.
She clarified that the petition was not a final finding of professional misconduct, adding that Kalu would have an opportunity to respond to the allegations.
According to her, the disciplinary committee would determine whether any professional offence had been committed and what sanction, if any, would be appropriate.
The controversy arose during Kalu’s discussion of the November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Lifu in a case concerning the ADC’s leadership.
During the interview, Kalu argued that the judgment did not invalidate Atiku Abubakar’s presidential nomination or those of other ADC candidates. He maintained that the court’s decision concerned actions taken by the party leadership led by David Mark from July 29, 2025.
He also relied on the Supreme Court decision in Jegede v. INEC, arguing that alleged irregularities involving party officials did not automatically invalidate candidates’ nominations.
When the presenter questioned whether the judgment could affect the nominations of Atiku and other ADC candidates, Kalu made remarks about Justice Lifu that prompted Okinbaloye to intervene.
The presenter cautioned him against using the television platform to attack the judge personally and repeatedly asked him to withdraw the statement.
Kalu initially appeared to defend his comments by referring to what he said had been stated about the judge in an earlier Court of Appeal proceeding. He eventually withdrew the remark, saying he did so because of time.
The interview subsequently returned to the legal implications of the judgment.
Despite the withdrawal during the broadcast, the NBA president said her review of the recording informed her decision to refer the matter to the disciplinary committee.
Badejo-Okusanya also recalled remarks she made at the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law conference in Umuahia on November 10, where she urged lawyers to examine court judgments and orders before criticising them publicly.
She said the legal profession must be able to demand accountability from judges while also maintaining discipline among its members.
The LPDC is expected to consider the petition in accordance with its established procedures. No finding of professional misconduct has been made against Kalu.
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