The Nigerian Bar Association has raised alarm over growing judicial interference in party politics, calling for sanctions against erring judges and lawyers, and urging the National Judicial Council (NJC) to discipline judges who entertain intra-party disputes, warning such actions undermine the law.
It also petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against lawyers involved, describing the practice as a breach of the Electoral Act, 2026.
NBA President, Afam Osigwe, disclosed this following litigations that led the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to derecognise the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and remove David Mark and Rauf Aregbesola from its website.
The dispute arose from a suit filed by counsel to Nafiu Bello, seeking recognition as ADC chairman after Ralph Nwosu stepped down.
The NBA warned that courts lack jurisdiction over such matters under the law and cautioned that both judges and lawyers risk sanctions for violating the provisions.
It described the trend as a threat to democracy and urged the judiciary to remain neutral and resist political interference.
The association also called on INEC to act independently and uphold public confidence in the electoral process.
