LPPC Suspends Ozekhome’s SAN Rank Pending Disciplinary Probe

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has suspended the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank of constitutional lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, pending the determination of disciplinary proceedings against him.

The decision was taken during the LPPC’s 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, 2026.

In a statement signed by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akanbi, on Wednesday evening, the committee said the suspension was approved in line with Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

According to the statement, the suspension will remain in effect pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings currently before the LPPC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee, as well as other related matters.

The committee explained that the measure was necessary to preserve the integrity, dignity and prestige of the SAN rank while the issues under review are being resolved.

“The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, at its 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, 2026, approved the suspension of Chief Mike Ozekhome from the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria,” the statement read.

The LPPC directed Ozekhome to refrain from presenting himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria throughout the period of suspension.

The committee reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining high standards of professional ethics, integrity and discipline within the legal profession, stressing that the SAN title must continue to command public confidence and respect.

The suspension follows a series of legal controversies involving the senior lawyer in recent months.

In January, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission filed criminal charges against Ozekhome over allegations of fraud and forgery linked to a disputed property located at 79 Randall Avenue, Neasden, London, United Kingdom.

The case was later taken over by the Attorney-General of the Federation, while prosecutors alleged that forged documents, including a Nigerian passport, were used in support of ownership claims over the property.

The dispute attracted international attention after a United Kingdom First-tier Property Tribunal dismissed claims advanced by Ozekhome and others, citing evidence of fraud, impersonation and forged documents surrounding the ownership of the house.

In March, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of the London property to the Federal Government after no claimant successfully established ownership.