The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee has suspended Chief Mike Ozekhome’s Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings and related legal matters
Senior Advocate Title Stripped From Mike Ozekhome as Disciplinary Probe Deepens
Chief Mike Ozekhome has been suspended from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) following a decision by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), which said the sanction would remain in effect pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings and other matters involving the prominent lawyer.
The development marks a significant turn in the career of one of Nigeria’s most well-known legal practitioners, with the LPPC directing Ozekhome to immediately stop presenting or referring to himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until a final determination is reached on the issues under review.
The decision was announced in a statement issued by the Secretary of the LPPC, Kabir Akanbi, following the committee’s 173rd general meeting held on June 23, 2026.
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 relating to the prestigious title.
“This action was taken pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and All Matters Pertaining to the rank, pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings, presently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC and other proceedings,” the statement 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.”
The LPPC explained that the measure was necessary to protect the reputation and standing of the highly coveted SAN rank while ongoing investigations and proceedings are resolved.
“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 committee stated.
The disciplinary proceedings referenced by the LPPC are currently before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee. In addition, Ozekhome is also involved in an ongoing criminal case before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama.
He and co-defendant Ponfa Useni are being prosecuted by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation over allegations that include document forgery, impersonation and the alleged use of forged documents to lay claim to a property in London reportedly linked to the late General Jeremiah Useni, a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Prosecutors allege that documents including an international passport and an irrevocable power of attorney were forged as part of efforts to establish ownership claims over the property. The allegations remain the subject of ongoing judicial proceedings.
Reaffirming its commitment to maintaining ethical standards within the legal profession, the LPPC stressed that the decision was taken in the broader interest of preserving public confidence in the SAN rank.
“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,” the statement added.
The suspension will remain in force until the disciplinary proceedings and related matters are fully concluded, after which a final decision will be taken regarding Ozekhome’s status as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
