A fresh legal battle has erupted over the suspension of Prof. Mike Ozekhome’s Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank, as a group of lawyers has urged the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) to immediately reverse its decision pending the conclusion of his ongoing court trial.
The lawyers, under the umbrella of the Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP), argued that the suspension violates the sub judice rule since the criminal case involving Ozekhome is still before a competent court.
The LPPC had, at its 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, 2026, announced the suspension of Ozekhome’s SAN rank.
In a statement signed by the Secretary of the LPPC and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Kabir Akanbi, the committee said the suspension was necessary to preserve the integrity, dignity and prestige of the prestigious SAN rank.
The LPPC explained that the action was taken pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee.
However, ALDRAP insisted that the decision was premature because Ozekhome’s prosecution by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—now being handled by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF)—is still before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a Freedom of Information (FOI) request addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), who chairs the LPPC, and the committee’s Secretary, Kabir Akanbi, the lawyers demanded the legal basis for the suspension as well as the minutes of the LPPC’s 173rd meeting.
The FOI request, signed by ALDRAP Administrative Secretary, Jesse Williams Amuga, argued that suspending Ozekhome before the court reaches a verdict could prejudice the ongoing proceedings.
“Our request for both electronic and hard copies of the minutes of the 173rd LPPC meeting is made pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.
“Any Nigerian lawyer with a rudimentary knowledge of law understands that the decision of the LPPC to suspend Prof. Mike Ozekhome is prejudicial and contrary to the sub judice rule, considering that there is an ongoing lawsuit against him by the ICPC,” the association stated.
The group warned that it would institute legal proceedings against the LPPC should its request be ignored.
“Take notice that if our request is not granted, the LPPC will leave us with no option but to instruct our lawyers to file a lawsuit to enforce the legal rights of our association,” it said.
ALDRAP also petitioned the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, urging the regional body to intervene over what it described as a growing disregard for the rule of law by the LPPC.
The association alleged that the committee had repeatedly taken actions on matters already before the courts, citing an earlier incident in February 2026 when the LPPC allegedly issued a public statement while litigation involving the committee was still pending before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
According to the group, that statement was issued on February 12, 2026, while judgment in the matter was not delivered until May 13, 2026, and is now before the Court of Appeal.
ALDRAP further alleged that on June 23, 2026, the LPPC issued separate statements concerning the shortlist of 89 SAN candidates and the suspension of Ozekhome despite ongoing litigation surrounding both issues.
The association cited the Supreme Court decision in Governor of Lagos State v. Ojukwu (1986), arguing that government institutions must avoid self-help and respect pending judicial proceedings.
It urged the LPPC to reverse Ozekhome’s suspension until the court finally determines the case.
