The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank of renowned constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate, Mike Ozekhome, pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision was taken at the LPPC’s 173rd General Meeting and was announced in a statement signed by the committee’s Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabiru Eniola Akanbi.
According to the statement, the suspension was effected pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the SAN Rank and related matters. The LPPC explained that the action would remain in force pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings currently before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee.
The committee stated that the measure was necessary to preserve the integrity, dignity and prestige associated with the SAN rank, one of the highest professional honours in Nigeria’s legal profession.
Consequently, Ozekhome has been barred from presenting himself or holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary matter is resolved.
The LPPC reiterated its commitment to maintaining high ethical standards, professional integrity and discipline within the legal profession, stressing that the SAN rank must continue to command public confidence and respect.
The committee, however, did not disclose the specific allegations forming the basis of the disciplinary proceedings.
