The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has temporarily suspended the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank of prominent lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision was announced on Wednesday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC, Hajiya Kabir Akanbi, following the committee’s 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, 2026.
According to the LPPC, 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 prestigious title.
The SAN rank is regarded as one of the highest honours in Nigeria’s legal profession and is reserved for lawyers who have distinguished themselves through exceptional advocacy, integrity, and contributions to the development of the law.
Ozekhome’s suspension comes amid controversy surrounding a disputed property ownership case in the United Kingdom involving a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
Reports indicate that a UK tribunal allegedly indicted the senior lawyer over claims that he relied on fraudulent documents to assert ownership of the London property, which was later traced to the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former military officer and politician from Plateau State.
The tribunal reportedly rejected evidence presented by Ozekhome and raised concerns over alleged irregularities involving a witness identified as Tali Shani.
The development has also attracted the attention of Nigeria’s anti-corruption authorities. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) subsequently filed a three-count criminal charge against the legal practitioner before a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Court documents marked FCT/HC/CR/010/2026 show that the charges were filed by Osuobeni Akponimisingha, Head of the High Profile Prosecution Department of the ICPC, and Ngozi Onwuka, an Assistant Chief Legal Officer, acting on behalf of the Attorney-General of the Federation.
The charges border on allegations of receiving property suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activity, providing false information, using forged documents, and attempting to mislead a public authority.
One of the counts alleges that Ozekhome knowingly received ownership of the London property from one Mr. Shani Tali in circumstances that authorities claim constituted a felony under Nigerian anti-corruption laws.
While the LPPC has not pronounced him guilty of any wrongdoing, the temporary withdrawal of his SAN rank is expected to remain in force until the disciplinary process and related legal proceedings are concluded.
The suspension has generated significant reactions within legal circles, given Ozekhome’s longstanding prominence in Nigeria’s legal profession and his frequent involvement in high-profile constitutional and human rights cases.
Observers say the outcome of the disciplinary proceedings could have far-reaching implications for professional accountability and ethical standards within the country’s legal community.
