LPPC suspends Ozekhome from SAN rank

Human rights lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome has been suspended from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

The decision was taken by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) during its 173rd general meeting held on 23 June.

The committee explained that the action was taken under Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters related to the rank, pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC, as well as other proceedings.

Part of the statement reads:

“The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), at its 173rd General Meeting held on 23 June 2026, approved the suspension of Chief Mike Ozekhome from the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

“Accordingly, Chief Mike Ozekhome shall refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings.

“The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command public confidence and respect,” the statement added.

The LPPC is a statutory body in Nigeria established by Section 5(3) of the Legal Practitioners Act, mandated to award the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) to deserving legal practitioners and regulate the privileges attached to the rank. Ozekhome’s suspension was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Kabir Akanbi.

The LPPC said Ozekhome’s suspension 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.