The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) petitions the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) over comments made by lawyer Kalu Kalu about Federal High Court judge Peter Lifu. During a discussion on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Kalu called Lifu a “coconut judge” who “doesn’t read.” After the programme host asked him to, Kalu withdrew the remark.
The dispute is tied to an ADC court ruling delivered on November 5, which invalidated the David Mark-led leadership and actions taken under it. In the interview, Kalu argued the judgment did not expressly affect the validity of Atiku Abubakar’s presidential candidacy or the nominations of other ADC candidates, contending only actions linked to the Mark-led leadership from July 29, 2025 were nullified. NBA president Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya says disagreement with judicial decisions cannot justify personal attacks, and argues lawyers are free to critique judgments but must avoid insults.
Across outlets, the NBA action is framed alongside ADC criticism. Premium Times and The Punch report that the ADC accuses the NBA of double standards or siding with the ruling party, pointing to a lack of similar NBA action after the Court of Appeal criticised Justice Lifu, although the NBA’s disciplinary rationale remains the core focus of the reporting.
