Breaking: Legal Practitioners Suspend Ozekhome from SAN Status, Reason Emerges
- Mike Ozekhome's senior advocate status has been suspended amid ongoing fraud investigation in the United Kingdom (UK)
- According to the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, the suspension is meant to safeguard the integrity of the senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank
- The LPPC explained that its decision was prompted by disciplinary proceedings against Ozekhome concerning allegations of forgery
Legit.ng journalist Ridwan Adeola Yusuf has over five years of experience covering public affairs and governance in Nigeria and Africa.
Ikeja, Lagos state - The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended prominent human rights lawyer and constitutional activist, Mike Ozekhome, from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
According to TheCable, the decision is pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against Ozekhome.
Source: Facebook
Ozekhome's SAN status suspended
The development comes amid the involvement of the senior lawyer in a disputed property case in the United Kingdom (UK).
A UK tribunal indicted Ozekhome for allegedly using fraudulent documents to claim ownership of the property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
He is also facing prosecuiton in Nigeria for forgery and other crimes regarding the scam.
Channels TV also highlighted the latest update concerning the 68-year-old legal practitioner who was conferred with the prestigious SAN rank in 2010.
LPPC freezes Ozekhome’s SAN rank
In a statement issued on Wednesday, June 24, the chief registrar of the Supreme Court, Kabir Akanbi, said the decision was reached at the committee’s 173rd general meeting held on Tuesday, June 23.
The LPPC stated that the suspension was reportedly approved pursuant to paragraph 26(6) of the guidelines for the conferment of the rank of senior advocate of Nigeria and all matters relating to the rank.
According to the committee, the suspension will remain in force pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings before its disciplinary and ethics sub-committee, as well as other related proceedings.
Source: Twitter
The LPPC, the body that confers the highly coveted SAN rank on accomplished lawyers, said Ozekhome’s suspension from using the rank “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.”
Privileges enjoyed by SAN holders
The rank of SAN is the highest distinction conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria. It is awarded annually to lawyers and academics who have distinguished themselves in legal practice, legal scholarship, and contributions to the development of the law.
The rank comes with a number of privileges, including a reserved seat in the “inner bar” of Nigerian courtrooms, priority attention to cases of the rank holder, special recognition during court sessions and formal events of the legal profession, and wearing of a special silk different from the regular gown of other lawyers.
Read more on Mike Ozekhome:
- Alleged corruption: Mike Ozekhome calls for fair hearing for El-Rufai before final judgment
- Court issues judgment on Ozekhome 'forgery' case as AGF takes another action
Nigeria drifting towards Dictatorship - Ozekhome
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Ozekhome issued a warning that Nigeria is “gradually driving without knowing it towards a one-party state,” a trajectory he believes could lead to full-blown dictatorship if not actively resisted by the populace.
Ozekhome expressed deep concern over the current political landscape.
He lamented what he described as “bootlicking at its highest level” and the increasing trend of political decampments and cross-carpeting by elected officials.
Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
