The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended Mike Ozekhome from being a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). This is pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.
Kabir Akanbi, who is the committee’s secretary and also the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, announced this decision in a statement on Wednesday. This came after the committee's 173rd meeting held on Tuesday.
The committee based its decision on Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank. The suspension is “pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings currently before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee and other related proceedings.”
Although the statement did not detail the complaints against Mr Ozekhome, he has been in the news recently over his involvement in a property dispute in London. He was accused of forging documents, including a passport and a power of attorney, to claim ownership of the London property.
Mr Ozekhome is also facing charges in Nigeria for forgery and other crimes linked to this case. In February, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) re-arranged Mr Ozekhome and Ponfa Useni, the son of Mr Useni, regarding their roles in the London property scandal.
They were re-arranged on 12 charges of forgery and impersonation at the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja. This re-arrangement followed an amendment of the charges that initially had Mr Ozekhome as the only defendant. Ponfa was added as the second defendant.
The LPPC, which gives out the SAN rank to distinguished lawyers, stated that Mr Ozekhome’s suspension is meant to protect the integrity and prestige of the SAN rank while the matters are being reviewed.
They directed Mr Ozekhome to stop presenting himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary proceedings are over. The LPPC also said it is dedicated to maintaining high standards of ethics, integrity, and discipline in the legal field.
They added that the SAN rank should continue to earn public trust and respect. The SAN rank is the highest honor given to lawyers in Nigeria. It is awarded yearly to those who have excelled in legal practice and scholarship.
Holding the SAN rank comes with several benefits. These include a reserved seat in the inner bar of courtrooms, priority in case handling, special recognition during court sessions, and a special silk dress that differs from other lawyers' gowns.
The LPPC is responsible for awarding the SAN rank and ensuring its dignity. The committee manages the selection process, reviews complaints, and has the power to suspend or withdraw the rank under certain conditions.
This suspension occurs amid ongoing disciplinary and criminal cases related to the disputed property in London. In September 2025, a UK property tribunal rejected claims regarding a house at 79 Randall Avenue in North London. The tribunal found that the case was based on forged documents and impersonation. They dismissed Mr Ozekhome’s claim that he received the property in 2021 from a man named Tali Shani.
After the tribunal's decision, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, said Nigerian authorities would look into the issues raised. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission later started an investigation, and criminal charges were filed against Mr Ozekhome for alleged forgery and use of fake documents in connection with the property dispute. Mr Ozekhome has denied any wrongdoing.
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