NBA Threatens To Sanction Lawyers Who Drag Courts Into Political Party Disputes, Warns Judges

The Nigerian Bar Association has threatened disciplinary action against lawyers who file suits seeking court interference in political party disputes, describing the trend as dangerous to Nigeria’s democracy.

In a statement issued on Friday titled, “Our Laws And Democracy Must Be Protected At All Times,” signed by its President, Afam Osigwe, the association expressed concern over what it described as increasing attempts by legal practitioners to draw courts into the internal affairs of political parties despite clear provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

The NBA said Section 83 of the Electoral Act explicitly bars courts from entertaining suits relating to the internal affairs of political parties. The provision, it noted, also prohibits courts from granting interim or interlocutory injunctions in such matters.

“We particularly deprecate the disturbing involvement by lawyers and courts in the internal affairs of political parties despite the clear provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026,” the association stated.

According to the NBA, some lawyers have continued to institute actions in courts in violation of the law, while courts allegedly grant interim orders contrary to statutory provisions.

“What we now see are situations where actions are not only instituted in courts by lawyers in clear violation of the Act, but courts purportedly grant interim and/or interlocutory injunctions in clear contempt of statutory provisions of the law. This does not augur well for our democracy,” the statement said.

The association warned that such practices could undermine democratic competition and transform the judiciary into a platform for political score-settling.

“This emerging trend of subverting the clear letters of the Electoral Act and dragging courts into the internal affairs of political parties through disingenuous litigation, forum shopping, and malafide applications designed to secure undemocratic political advantage, bodes no good for our democracy,” it added.

The NBA reminded lawyers that they are “ministers in the temple of justice” and not political agents seeking judicial endorsement of partisan interests.

“The filing of actions intended to draw courts into internal political party disputes, particularly where jurisdiction is expressly excluded, constitutes an abuse of court process and a violation of professional responsibility,” the association said.

It warned that lawyers found engaging in such conduct would face disciplinary proceedings before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.

“The NBA will take firm steps to deter such conduct… We will not hesitate to present petitions before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee against any legal practitioner found to be engaging in such conduct,” the statement read.

Beyond lawyers, the association also cautioned the judiciary against assuming jurisdiction in matters barred by law. It called on the National Judicial Council to sanction judges who knowingly grant orders in intra-party disputes.

“The Nigerian judiciary must stay vigilant and resist being drawn into political theatrics. Courts should firmly decline invitations… to intervene in matters the law explicitly bars them from,” the NBA said.

The association further urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to exercise its supervisory powers with neutrality and independence as the country moves toward the 2027 general elections.

“The Commission must not, under any circumstances, be perceived as a participant in political engineering,” the NBA warned.

The body stressed that it would deploy lawful mechanisms, including advisory opinions, strategic litigation and disciplinary processes, to prevent the misuse of judicial authority and protect democratic institutions.

“Nigeria’s democracy must not be weakened by legal maneuvering, institutional capture, or the misuse of judicial authority. The courts must remain arbiters of justice, not instruments of political advantage,” the statement concluded.