Court Overturns Gadzama's Suspension from Legal Practice

On September 29, the Federal High Court in Abuja nullified the three-year suspension imposed on Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joe-Kyari Gadzama by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC). Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled that the enforcement of the LPDC's decision, dated July 29, 2026, was unconstitutional, citing a lack of an effective appellate mechanism as inconsistent with Sections 36(1), 36(2), and 6(6)(b) of the 1999 Constitution.

The court barred any implementation or publication of the LPDC's direction against Gadzama. This ruling followed Gadzama's challenge to the LPDC's disciplinary action, which stemmed from allegations of professional misconduct related to the Zaki-Biam massacre litigation.

Gadzama contended he had no professional relationship with Chris Alashi, who filed the complaint, and had been separately instructed by judgment creditors. The court also restrained the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court from making any disciplinary notation against Gadzama and declared the LPDC's jurisdiction in the matter lacking.