By SCM REPORTER
THE NIGERIAN Bar Association (NBA) has launched a blistering attack on rogue lawyers and “activist” judges, accusing them of staging a “violent” assault on the rule of law ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
In a stinging statement released today, the NBA warned that Nigeria’s democracy is being pushed to the brink by legal professionals who are ignoring the law to score cheap political points.
At the heart of the fury is the Electoral Act 2026, which was designed to keep the courts out of the messy internal squabbles of political parties. Despite Section 83 explicitly stating that no court has the jurisdiction to entertain intra-party disputes, the NBA says it is seeing a “disturbing” trend of lawyers dragging judges into political theatrics.
‘Disrespecting the Law’
The NBA didn’t pull any punches, accusing some members of the Bar of acting as “political agents” rather than ministers of justice.
”Democracy will not thrive in a situation where lawyers and courts take actions and decisions that not only negate our laws but also do violence to them,” the Association declared.
The watchdog slammed the use of “disingenuous litigation” and “forum shopping”—the practice of hunting for a friendly judge to grant a favorable ruling—as a move designed to secure “undemocratic political advantage.”
The ‘Injunction’ Scandal
Under the strict rules of the 2026 Act, courts are forbidden from granting interim injunctions in party matters. Instead, they are supposed to fast-track hearings and only deliver a ruling at the final judgment stage.
However, the NBA claims some courts are “purportedly” granting these forbidden orders anyway, in what they described as a clear contempt of statutory law.
The Crackdown Begins
The gloves are officially off. The NBA has announced it will now hunt down lawyers who file these “malafide” applications.
The consequences will be severe:
Disciplinary Proceedings: Lawyers found bypassing the Electoral Act will be hauled before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
Petitions: The NBA will actively file petitions to ensure rogue legal minds are stripped of their standing.
Judicial Vigilance: Judges are being told to “stay vigilant” and resist being drawn into “political theatrics,” no matter how “artfully crafted” a lawsuit might be.
”We will not hesitate,” the NBA warned. “This will be pursued decisively to serve as a deterrent and to preserve the sanctity of the judicial process.”
As the 2027 race heats up, the message from the legal top brass is clear: The law is not a political football—and those who treat it like one are about to get sent off.
