Mike Ozekhome Suspended from Senior Advocate Rank in Nigeria

Lawyer Mike Ozekhome has been suspended from the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC). This decision was made public in a statement issued on Thursday by Kabir Akanbi, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court.

The suspension will remain in force pending the conclusion of ongoing disciplinary proceedings against Ozekhome. The LPPC's final disciplinary action was discussed during its 173rd general meeting held on June 23.

Ozekhome, a recognized constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, has had a long career involving several high-profile political and constitutional human rights cases across Nigeria. The LPPC, a statutory body empowered to award and withdraw the SAN rank, explained that the suspension was approved in accordance with paragraph 26(6) of the guidelines for conferring the SAN rank.

During this period, Ozekhome is required to refrain from presenting himself as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.