LPPC suspends senior lawyer Mike Ozekhome from SAN rank

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended Mike Ozekhome, a prominent lawyer, from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings against him.

The LPPC's secretary, Kabir Akanbi, announced the decision following a committee meeting. The suspension is based on Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank. While the specific complaints leading to the disciplinary proceedings were not detailed in the statement, Ozekhome has recently been in the headlines concerning his involvement in a dispute over a London property.

He has been accused of forging documents, including a passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, to claim ownership of the London property. Ozekhome is also facing prosecution in Nigeria for forgery and other charges related to this alleged scam. In February, he and Ponfa Useni were re-arraigned on 12 charges of forgery and impersonation before the FCT High Court in Abuja.

The LPPC stated that the suspension is intended to safeguard the integrity and prestige of the SAN rank while the matters are under review. Ozekhome has been directed not to present himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the conclusion of the proceedings. The committee emphasized its commitment to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity within the legal profession.