By

Arinze Izik

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has suspended Chief Mike Ozekhome from using the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.

The Committee’s Secretary, Kabir Akanbi, who also serves as Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday. The decision was taken at the LPPC’s 173rd meeting held on Tuesday.

The Committee, relying on Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, said the suspension will remain “pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings currently before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee and other related matters.”

Although the statement did not disclose the specific complaints against Mr Ozekhome, the senior lawyer has been in the news in recent months over a contentious dispute involving a London property.

Mr Ozekhome was accused of forging documents, including a passport and an irrevocable power of attorney, to lay claim to the London property.

He is also facing prosecution in Nigeria for forgery and other offenses connected to the alleged scam.

In February, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation re-arraigned Mr Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of Mr Useni, over their alleged roles in the London property scandal.

The two defendants were re-arraigned on 12 counts of forgery and impersonation before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

The re-arraignment followed an amendment of the original charges, which initially named Mr Ozekhome as the sole defendant. The amended charges added Ponfa as the second defendant.

The LPPC, the body responsible for conferring the prestigious SAN rank on distinguished lawyers, said Mr Ozekhome’s suspension from using the rank “is meant to protect the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria while the matters under review are being considered.”

The Committee directed Mr Ozekhome to stop presenting himself, parading himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary proceedings are concluded.

The LPPC said it remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline in the legal profession.

It added that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria must continue to enjoy public confidence and respect.

The SAN rank is the highest honor conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria. It is awarded yearly to lawyers and academics who have excelled in legal practice, legal scholarship, and contributions to the development of the law.

Privileges attached to the rank include a reserved seat in the “inner bar” of Nigerian courtrooms, priority attention to cases handled by the rank holder, special recognition during court sessions and formal legal events, and the right to wear a special silk gown distinct from the gown worn by other lawyers.

The LPPC is the body in charge of conferring the SAN rank and preserving its dignity and integrity. The Committee supervises the SAN selection process, handles petitions and complaints relating to the rank, and may suspend or withdraw the privilege where necessary under its guidelines.

Background
The suspension comes amid ongoing disciplinary and criminal proceedings linked to a disputed property in London.

In September 2025, a UK property tribunal dismissed claims over a house at 79 Randall Avenue, North London, and ruled that the case was based on forged documents and impersonation. The tribunal rejected Mr Ozekhome’s claim that the property was transferred to him in 2021 by a man identified as Tali Shani.

After the judgment, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said Nigerian authorities would review the issues raised by the case.

Premium Times reported that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission later launched an investigation, and criminal charges were subsequently filed against Mr Ozekhome over alleged forgery and use of false documents connected to the property dispute. Mr Ozekhome has denied all allegations.