Legal Titan Falls: Mike Ozekhome Suspended from SAN Status by LPPC

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has officially announced the suspension of Chief Mike Ozekhome, a prominent legal practitioner, from the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). This significant decision, which prohibits Ozekhome from using the esteemed title, was reached during the committee's 173rd General Meeting, which took place on June 23, 2026.

A statement, made available to journalists in Abuja and signed by Kabir Akanbi (also identified as Kabir E. A.), who serves as both the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the Secretary of the LPPC, clarified the grounds for the suspension. The committee explained that the measure was necessitated by ongoing disciplinary proceedings currently active against Chief Ozekhome.

The LPPC further detailed that the decision was taken in strict accordance with Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all Matters Pertaining to the Rank. These disciplinary proceedings are presently under review by the LPPC's Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee, in addition to other related legal proceedings.

The committee explicitly stated that the overarching aim of this suspension is to safeguard and preserve the integrity, dignity, and prestige intrinsically linked to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank. By taking this proactive step, the LPPC ensures that the matters under review receive proper consideration without diminishing the revered status of the legal title.

As a direct consequence of this suspension, Chief Mike Ozekhome is now formally required to refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out publicly as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. This restriction will remain in force until the final determination and conclusion of the ongoing disciplinary proceedings.

Reaffirming its core mission, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee underscored its unwavering commitment to maintaining the absolute highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession in Nigeria. The LPPC emphasized its dedication to ensuring that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command and uphold the utmost public confidence and respect.