The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended prominent lawyer Mike Ozekhome from using the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pending the conclusion of ongoing disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, who said the committee approved the suspension during its 173rd general meeting held on June 23.
Ozekhome is a well-known constitutional lawyer, human rights advocate and public commentator who has handled several high-profile political, constitutional and human rights cases over the years.
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest honour awarded to legal practitioners in the country and is reserved for lawyers who have made significant contributions to the legal profession. The LPPC is responsible for awarding and withdrawing the rank.
According to the committee, the suspension was approved in line with Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all Matters Pertaining to the Rank.
The LPPC said the action is connected to disciplinary proceedings currently before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee and other related matters under review.
The statement, signed by Akanbi, who also serves as Secretary of the LPPC, explained that the suspension is intended to protect the integrity, dignity and prestige of the SAN rank while the disciplinary matters are being considered.
The committee stated that Ozekhome must fully comply with the terms of the suspension.
It said, “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”.
Akanbi added that the LPPC remains committed to preserving the honour of the legal profession.
“The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command public confidence and respect”.
