Senior lawyer barred from using SAN title as committee cites need to protect integrity of the prestigious rank

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended prominent lawyer Mike Ozekhome from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings against him.

The decision, announced in a statement on Thursday by Kabir Akanbi, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, was reached at the LPPC’s 173rd general meeting held on June 23.

According to the committee, the suspension was approved in line with paragraph 26(6) of the guidelines governing the conferment and regulation of the SAN rank. It will remain in effect until the conclusion of proceedings before the LPPC’s disciplinary and ethics sub-committee, as well as any related matters.

The LPPC said the move is aimed at preserving the “integrity, dignity, and prestige” associated with the highly respected legal title while investigations continue.

As part of the directive, Ozekhome has been instructed to refrain from presenting or identifying himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until a final decision is reached.

The development comes as Ozekhome faces trial alongside Ponfa Useni, son of the late former Federal Capital Territory minister, Jeremiah Useni. Both men were arraigned in February before Justice Chizoba Oji of the FCT High Court in Maitama on a 12-count charge, including allegations related to the use of a fake Nigerian passport in connection with a disputed property in the United Kingdom.

They pleaded not guilty to all charges and were each granted bail set at ₦10 million, with a requirement for sureties who own property within the FCT.

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.

Ozekhome has maintained that the property was gifted to him in 2021 by an individual identified as “Mr Tali Shani.” However, another claimant, “Ms Tali Shani,” contested this, asserting ownership through legal representatives.

During proceedings at the UK First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber), a witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming longstanding ownership of the property and stating he had transferred it under a power of attorney arrangement.

In contrast, the opposing side presented several documents—including identification records and personal data—to support “Ms Shani’s” claim.

However, the tribunal ruled that all documents submitted in support of “Ms Tali Shani” were fraudulent. It ultimately dismissed the claims from both sides, concluding that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani could be verified as real individuals.

The LPPC’s decision marks a significant development in the unfolding legal and disciplinary proceedings involving one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal practitioners.