A constitutional lawyer has criticized some Nigerian judges over their interpretation of legal terms in the ongoing case involving Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The lawyer argued that several court rulings have shown a poor understanding of “Judicial English”, which has led to confusion in the delivery of justice and misinterpretation of the law.

According to the lawyer, proper knowledge of legal English is essential for fair judgment, especially in high-profile constitutional and human rights cases. He noted that some judges often misapply legal phrases, leading to verdicts that appear inconsistent or unclear. He therefore called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to organize refresher training for judicial officers to improve their comprehension and communication in legal proceedings.

He further emphasized that the judiciary must uphold clarity, precision, and fairness in interpreting the law, particularly in sensitive cases like Kanu’s. The lawyer maintained that without linguistic and interpretive accuracy, justice risks being compromised, and public trust in the system will continue to decline.