The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended prominent lawyer, Mike Ozekhome, from the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision was reached at the LPPC’s 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
The committee disclosed that the suspension was approved pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters relating to the rank.
According to the LPPC, the suspension will remain in effect until the conclusion of proceedings before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee, as well as any other related proceedings arising from the matter.
While the committee did not disclose the specific allegations prompting the disciplinary action, it stated that the decision was taken in accordance with its regulatory powers over holders of the SAN rank.
The development marks a significant step by the LPPC, as disciplinary measures involving Senior Advocates are relatively uncommon and often attract considerable attention within Nigeria’s legal community.
Further details on the nature of the disciplinary proceedings are expected as the matter progresses before the committee’s relevant bodies.