The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) over alleged disparaging comments made by lawyer Kalu Kalu against a Federal High Court judge during a television programme.
NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, disclosed that the petition followed remarks made by Kalu during the November 11, 2026 edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.
The lawyer made the comments while discussing a November 5 judgment delivered by Justice Peter Lifu concerning the leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its implications for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s 2027 presidential ambition.
During the discussion, Kalu reportedly referred to the judge as a “coconut judge”, prompting the programme’s presenter to interrupt and caution him against making personal attacks on a sitting judicial officer.
Okinbaloye subsequently asked the lawyer to withdraw the remark, which Kalu eventually agreed to do, explaining that he was withdrawing it because of time constraints.
Reacting to the incident, Badejo-Okusanya said she had watched a recording of the programme and condemned the language directed at the judicial officer.
She maintained that lawyers have the right to examine court judgments, challenge judicial reasoning and identify errors, but disagreements with judicial decisions should not become personal attacks against the judges responsible for delivering them.
According to the NBA president, personal insults do not establish that a judgment is legally wrong or provide any meaningful remedy for individuals dissatisfied with a court decision.
She further referenced the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, which require lawyers to maintain high professional standards and treat courts with respect, dignity and honour.
Badejo-Okusanya stressed that these professional responsibilities remain applicable regardless of where lawyers express their opinions, including television interviews and public discussions.
She also explained that the legal profession has established procedures for raising complaints against judicial officers, adding that lawyers should use appropriate channels rather than resorting to personal attacks.
The NBA president confirmed that a formal petition, accompanied by relevant broadcast materials, had been forwarded to the disciplinary committee for consideration.
She emphasised that Kalu would be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations, while the committee would independently determine whether his conduct amounted to professional misconduct and whether any disciplinary action was necessary.
The NBA clarified that submitting the petition did not amount to a declaration that the lawyer was guilty, noting that the matter would be handled in accordance with established procedures.
Badejo-Okusanya urged legal practitioners to express disagreements with court decisions firmly but professionally, stressing that their conduct influences public confidence in the legal profession and the administration of justice.
