ADC warns NBA against joining fight against opposition

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the decision of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to initiate disciplinary proceedings against lawyer and politician, Kalu Kalu, over his remarks concerning Justice Peter Lifu, warning the Association against allowing itself to be drawn into the political fight against the opposition.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said while it agrees with the principles of productive engagement, temperance and respect for institutions, which the party has consistently advocated, it finds the NBA’s sudden indignation curious.

“Why is the 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 NBA when the judiciary itself was expressing such grave concerns about the conduct of one of its own?

“We respect the 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 NBA, rather than victimising a brave lawyer like Kalu for expressing his political views.

“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, whose demand is simply that justice be done, that the rule of law be protected and that democracy be preserved.

“The 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.

“We agree that lawyers must exercise restraint. But there is no respectful way to address evil, and the NBA cannot teach us one.”