The Legal Practitioners' Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended Mike Ozekhome's Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) title pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings. The decision was taken at the committee's 173rd general meeting on June 23, 2026, and announced in a statement by Kabir Akanbi, chief registrar of the Supreme Court and LPPC secretary. The LPPC stated that Ozekhome must stop presenting himself as a SAN until the ethics sub-committee concludes its investigation. The suspension is intended to safeguard the integrity of the SAN rank.
Ozekhome is currently facing prosecution at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court alongside Ponfa Useni, son of the late retired lieutenant-general Jeremiah Useni. The federal government charged both men with 12 counts of fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud. Ozekhome is accused of using a forged Nigerian passport to lay claim to a UK property linked to the late Jeremiah Useni, who served under former military ruler General Sani Abacha.
The LPPC reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining ethical standards within the legal profession and preserving the credibility of the SAN designation. No further details were provided regarding the timeline for the disciplinary process.
Mike Ozekhome is accused of using a fake passport to claim a UK property while holding one of Nigeria's most respected legal titles. The LPPC suspended his SAN status only after criminal charges were filed, not when the alleged fraud first emerged. If the rank depends on integrity, the delay in acting undermines its value. Nigerians now see a gap between prestige and accountability.
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