The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended prominent lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhome, from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings instituted against him.
The decision was reached at the committee’s 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, 2026, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi.
The LPPC said 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.
Explaining the decision, the committee stated that the sanction would remain in effect until the final determination of proceedings before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee, as well as other related matters.
“The suspension is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria while due consideration is given to the matters under review,” the statement said.
It further directed Ozekhome to desist from presenting himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria while the disciplinary process remains unresolved.
“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 added.
The development comes amid an ongoing legal battle involving Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, son of the late former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lt.-Gen. Jeremiah Useni.
The duo is facing a 12-count charge before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama over allegations bordering on the use of a forged Nigerian passport in connection with a disputed property matter in the United Kingdom.
They were arraigned in February before Justice Chizoba Oji and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The court subsequently granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each with one surety in like amount.
At the centre of the controversy is a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX, which became the subject of competing ownership claims before a UK property tribunal.
During proceedings, Ozekhome maintained that he acquired the property as a gift from a man identified as “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021. However, another claimant, “Ms Tali Shani,” also laid claim to ownership of the property.
Evidence presented before the tribunal included testimonies and documents from both sides. While a witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome’s claim, other documents tendered in support of “Ms Tali Shani” were challenged.
Following its review, the UK tribunal reportedly concluded that neither “Mr Tali Shani” nor “Ms Tali Shani” existed, leading to the dismissal of all claims relating to the property.
The LPPC’s latest action marks a significant development in the matter, as the disciplinary proceedings against Ozekhome continue.
