LPPC Suspends Mike Ozekhome’s SAN Rank Over Ongoing Disciplinary Proceedings
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has suspended the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank of Mike Ozekhome pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings linked to an ongoing legal dispute and related investigations.
ABUJA
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended prominent lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision, announced on Wednesday, marks a significant development within Nigeria’s legal community and has drawn attention to ongoing proceedings involving one of the country’s most recognisable senior lawyers.
In a statement issued by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, the LPPC said the decision was reached during its 173rd General Meeting held on June 23.
According to the committee, the suspension was approved in line with Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and matters relating to the prestigious legal title.
The committee stated that the measure would remain in effect pending the determination of disciplinary proceedings before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee, as well as other related matters currently under review.
The LPPC explained that the decision was necessary to preserve the integrity and reputation associated with the SAN rank while investigations and disciplinary processes continue.
As part of the directive, Ozekhome has been barred from presenting or identifying himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until a final decision is reached on the allegations before the committee.
Legal Dispute at Centre of Controversy
The suspension comes against the backdrop of ongoing criminal proceedings involving Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late former Federal Capital Territory Minister, Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni.
Both men are facing a 12-count charge before the FCT High Court in Maitama over allegations connected to the use of a forged Nigerian passport in relation to a property dispute in the United Kingdom.
The defendants were arraigned earlier this year before Justice Chizoba Oji and entered not guilty pleas to all charges.
The court subsequently granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with conditions requiring sureties who own landed property within the Federal Capital Territory.
At the heart of the dispute is a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London, which became the subject of competing ownership claims before a United Kingdom property tribunal.
Court documents indicate that Ozekhome maintained he acquired the property as a gift in 2021 from an individual identified as Mr. Tali Shani.
However, another claimant, identified as Ms. Tali Shani, also laid claim to the property through legal representatives.
During proceedings before the UK tribunal, witnesses presented various documents in support of the competing ownership claims.
The tribunal later examined the evidence and reportedly concluded that key documents tendered in support of the ownership claims lacked authenticity. It ultimately ruled that neither of the individuals identified as Mr. Tali Shani nor Ms. Tali Shani could be established as existing persons, leading to the dismissal of the claims before it.
Implications for the Legal Profession
The suspension of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria is a rare development and underscores the significance attached to professional conduct within the legal profession.
The SAN rank remains the highest professional distinction for legal practitioners in Nigeria and is reserved for lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional competence, integrity and contributions to the development of the law.
The LPPC’s decision signals its commitment to maintaining ethical standards and preserving public confidence in the legal profession while disciplinary processes run their course.
Neither Ozekhome nor his legal representatives had publicly responded to the LPPC’s decision as of the time of filing this report.