LPDC suspends senior lawyer Gadzama from legal practice for three years

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has suspended Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joe-Kyari Gadzama from legal practice for three years. The disciplinary action stems from his involvement in the case concerning victims and survivors of the 2001 military attack on Zaki Biam in Benue State.

The LPDC's decision, delivered on Wednesday, follows a petition filed by lawyer Chris Alash. Alash accused Gadzama of unprofessional and unethical practices related to the Zaki Biam case. Another lawyer, Ocha Ulegede, also implicated in the petition, received a two-year suspension from legal practice. The committee directed all heads of superior courts in Nigeria to enforce the ruling.

According to the LPDC, both Gadzama, a lawyer with 40 years of experience, and Ulegede violated provisions of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023. Gadzama, who represented approximately 40 victims and survivors, has rejected the judgment. He asserts that the petitioner's claims of improperly taking over a brief, soliciting clients, and wrongfully appropriating professional fees are unfounded.

Gadzama stated that the complaint originated from a dispute over legal representation and professional fees concerning the handling of the Zaki Biam case and the N8 billion settlement paid by the federal government. The Zaki Biam attack in October 2001, ordered by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life after suspected militia activities. Subsequent legal battles led to a compensation award, which later resulted in a settlement agreement.