According to a report by The Vanguard on Friday, April 10, 2026, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has sent a stern warning to legal practitioners across the country, vowing to sanction those dragging the judiciary into the internal leadership crisis rocking the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
This move comes as factional battles continue to tear the party apart ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strong-worded statement released on Friday, the NBA expressed deep concern over the “growing trend” of lawyers filing lawsuits to settle intra-party disputes.
The association reminded practitioners that the law strictly forbids courts from meddling in the internal affairs of political parties.
Specifically, the NBA cited Section 83 of the Electoral Act 2026, which strips courts of jurisdiction over such matters.
The NBA pointed out that some lawyers are engaging in “forum shopping” and seeking “malafide applications” to secure undemocratic advantages for their political clients.
This behaviour, the association noted, often leads to courts granting interim injunctions in total contempt of statutory laws. “Members of the Bar are ministers in the temple of justice, not political agents,” the statement read.
To restore order, the NBA announced it would not hesitate to file petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).
Any lawyer found guilty of filing cases intended to bypass the Electoral Act or procure judicial interference in party affairs faces severe disciplinary action.
The association further urged the judiciary to remain vigilant and resist being used as a tool for political theatrics.
By clamping down on “disingenuous litigation,” the NBA aims to preserve the sanctity of the legal process and protect Nigeria’s democracy from being undermined by partisan interests.
