LPPC Suspends Mike Ozekhome From SAN Rank Amid London Property Dispute
Key Takeaways:
- Mike Ozekhome has been suspended from using the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).
- The suspension is linked to ongoing disciplinary and criminal proceedings involving alleged forgery and a disputed London property.
- Ozekhome is currently facing criminal prosecution by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) in connection with the allegations.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has officially suspended Mike Ozekhome from the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). The suspension will remain in effect pending the final determination of ongoing disciplinary and criminal proceedings against the senior lawyer.
Ejes Gist News reports that Kabir Akanbi, Secretary of the LPPC and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, announced the decision in a statement issued after the committee’s 173rd General Meeting.
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Why the LPPC Suspended Mike Ozekhome
According to the LPPC’s official statement, the decision to suspend Mike Ozekhome was made pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The committee stated that the 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.
As a result of the directive, Ozekhome is prohibited from presenting himself, parading himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until the disciplinary proceedings before the LPPC’s Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee are concluded.
London Property Dispute and Forgery Allegations
Although the LPPC statement did not provide details of the complaints that led to the suspension, Mike Ozekhome has been involved in a widely reported legal dispute concerning a property located at 79 Randall Avenue in North London.
In September 2025, a UK property tribunal dismissed claims relating to the property, finding that the case before it involved documents it considered to be forged and issues of alleged impersonation. The tribunal also rejected Ozekhome’s claim that the property had been legally transferred to him in 2021 by a man identified as Tali Shani.
Following the tribunal’s decision, Nigeria’s Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, announced that Nigerian authorities would investigate the matter. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) subsequently opened an investigation, which led to criminal charges against Ozekhome over the alleged use of false documents. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Criminal Prosecution in Nigeria
The fallout from the UK tribunal proceedings has resulted in legal action in Nigeria. In February 2026, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation re-arraigned Mike Ozekhome alongside Ponfa Useni, the son of Mr Useni, before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The defendants face 12 amended counts bordering on alleged forgery and impersonation in connection with the London property dispute. The charges were initially filed against Ozekhome alone before being amended to include Ponfa Useni as a co-defendant.
What the SAN Rank Means in Nigeria
The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is the highest distinction conferred on legal practitioners in the country. It is awarded annually to lawyers and academics who have made significant contributions to the legal profession.
The rank confers several privileges, including:
- Reserved seating within the inner bar of Nigerian courtrooms.
- Priority recognition in court proceedings.
- Special recognition during formal legal events.
- The right to wear the distinctive silk gown associated with the rank.
The LPPC, which is responsible for the conferment and preservation of the SAN rank, reiterated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics. The committee stated that the title must continue to command public confidence and respect while the ongoing proceedings involving Ozekhome are being resolved.
