The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended Chief Mike Ozekhome from the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pending the conclusion of ongoing disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision was disclosed on Wednesday in Abuja by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akanbi, who said the action was taken in line with Paragraph 26(6) of the guidelines governing the conferment and regulation of the SAN rank.
According to the committee, the suspension will remain in force until the determination of matters currently before the LPPC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee, as well as other related proceedings.
“The suspension is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the rank of SAN while due consideration is given to the matters under review.
“Accordingly, Chief Mike Ozekhome shall refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a senior advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.
“The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensure that the rank continues to command public confidence and respect.”
The committee stressed that the temporary withdrawal of the privilege was necessary to preserve the sanctity of one of the nation’s highest legal distinctions while investigations and disciplinary reviews continue.
The SAN title, widely regarded as the pinnacle of professional recognition within Nigeria’s legal profession, is conferred on lawyers who have demonstrated exceptional advocacy, integrity and contributions to the development of the law.
With the suspension now in effect, Ozekhome is barred from holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary process reaches its final conclusion.
