NBA Refers Atiku’s Lawyer to Disciplinary Panel For Calling Justice Lifu ‘Coconut Judge’

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) towards Kalu Kalu, a lawyer linked to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, over feedback he made a couple of Federal High Court choose.

Kalu, who can also be a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), appeared on Channels Television’s Politics Today on November 11. He was discussing a Federal High Court ruling towards the ADC that has fuelled debate about its doable impact on Atiku’s potential 2027 presidential bid.During the interview, Kalu referred to Justice Peter O. Lifu as a “coconut judge” whereas arguing that the judgment didn’t bar Atiku from contesting.

The programme’s host interrupted him, cautioned towards insulting a sitting choose, and requested him to withdraw the comment. Kalu complied, saying, “Because of time, I do withdraw it,” and added that disagreement with a choose may nonetheless be expressed by inspecting the case itself.

He additionally claimed the Court of Appeal had beforehand made comparable observations concerning the choose.NBA President Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, condemned the language in a press release issued on November 13.

She mentioned she had watched the recording and located the remarks troubling. While affirming that attorneys are free to criticise judgments, query reasoning, and spotlight errors by correct authorized arguments, she careworn that private insults towards judges are unacceptable.

Badejo-Okusanya famous that such assaults diminish public debate and injury the career’s fame. She referenced the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, which require attorneys to deal with the courts with respect, dignity and honour, and identified that established channels exist for lodging complaints towards judicial officers.

The NBA has formally referred the matter, together with the related broadcast materials, to the LPDC for consideration.

Click to signup for FREE information updates, newest data and hottest gists on a regular basis

Advertise on NOP NIGERIA to succeed in 1000’s of our each day customers