NBA petitions disciplinary committee over Kalu’s alleged attack on judge

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over alleged insulting remarks made by lawyer Kalu Kalu against a judicial officer during a television programme.

NBA President, Oyin Kansola Badejo-Okusanya, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday, condemning what she described as the use of unacceptable language against a judicial officer.

The remarks were reportedly made during the November 11 edition of Politics Today, hosted by Seun Okinbaloye.

Badejo-Okusanya said she had obtained and watched a recording of the programme, adding that disagreement with a judicial decision did not justify personal attacks against the judge who delivered it.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Bar Association, I condemn the use of such language unequivocally. A lawyer’s disagreement with a judicial decision, however strongly held, cannot excuse personal abuse of the judge who delivered it,” she said.

The NBA president stressed that lawyers had the right to scrutinise judgments, challenge judicial reasoning and expose errors, noting that rigorous criticism contributed to the development of the law and administration of justice.

However, she said personal insults against judges did not establish that a judgment was wrong but rather undermined public debate and brought the legal profession into disrepute.

According to her, the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, require lawyers to maintain high standards of professional conduct and treat the courts with respect, dignity and honour.