US Courts Disbar 17 Nigerian Lawyers Over Fraud, Theft, Corruption (Full List)

A group of United States-based Nigerian lawyers have faced severe disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and disbarment, following instances of fraud, theft, and corruption, according to legal documents reported by Peoples Gazette.

The documents detail actions taken by various state supreme courts, federal disciplinary bodies, and federal immigration tribunals against attorneys across several U.S. jurisdictions.

Overview of Disciplinary Actions and Misconduct

Alexander Osondu Akpodiete
Formerly based in Florida, Alexander Osondu Akpodiete faced disciplinary actions on multiple occasions for misconduct between 2005 and 2008. His offences bordered on contempt of court, including failing to keep a client well informed about the status of a matter and taking an unauthorized $1,000 from a credit card a client used to pay for legal services. While suspended for an offence, Mr. Akpodiete was disbarred from practising law by the Florida Supreme Court in 2010.

Taiwo A. Agbaje
Based in Maryland, Taiwo A. Agbaje was disbarred at both state and federal levels. The Executive Office for Immigration Review announced his disbarment on June 16, 2016, following a final order by the Board of Immigration Appeals based on his prior disbarment in Maryland. His state disbarment involved conflict of interest, dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. The court ruled that he was “dishonest and deceitful” after he took $40,000 from a client for a real estate investment in Baltimore.

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Cyril O. Chukwurah
Texas-based attorney Cyril O. Chukwurah lost his licence to practise in 2015 after being disbarred for multiple instances of professional misconduct. His violations included practising law while on active suspension, violating disciplinary judgments in two other cases, and failing to properly deliver funds belonging to his clients. Citing an extensive past disciplinary record, authorities disbarred him from practising before the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security.

Wilfred I. Aka
Wilfred I. Aka, a Los Angeles-based attorney and Certified Public Accountant (CPA), was disbarred in 2025 by the federal U.S. Tax Court and the federal Board of Immigration Appeals. The decision followed multiple disciplinary actions in 2019 and 2020. He was disbarred for failing to discharge his duties to the court, his clients, and opposing counsel.

Chuck Odifu Egbune
Based in Colorado, Chuck Odifu Egbune was initially suspended over professional misconduct in 2023 before being disbarred from practice in 2025. Mr. Egbune was disbarred for engaging in the illegal practice of law in Colorado while under suspension, specifically representing his sister in court without a valid licence in violation of state law.

Uchechi Okechukwu Nwakanma (Prince Nwakanma)
Houston, Texas-based attorney Uchechi Okechukwu Nwakanma, also known as Prince Nwakanma, was first suspended in 2015 for failing to pay fees and failing to satisfy continuing education requirements. In 2017, he was disbarred by the Board of Immigration Appeals, the Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security. The Supreme Court of Kansas subsequently affirmed that his disbarment was appropriate.

Immigration Tribunal Expulsions and State Sanctions

Chinyere Alex Ogoke
Chinyere Alex Ogoke, a Chicago-based attorney licensed in 2005, was disbarred in 2021 after practising while under suspension. The United States Board of Immigration Appeals had previously suspended him from appearing before the Board, the Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security based on a prior suspension in Illinois. Mr. Ogoke violated U.S. law by falsely claiming he was not subject to any order restricting his practice and filing notices of appearance for 11 immigration clients. The board ruled that his disbarment “is appropriate”, stating that his continued intentional disregard for suspension orders and repeated claims that he “is not subject to any order restricting his right to practice law when he, in fact, is suspended from practice before the board, the immigration courts, and the DHS are serious violations that undermine the integrity of the legal system”.

Ignatius Chukwuemeka Udeani
Ignatius Chukwuemeka Udeani, operating in Bloomington, Minnesota, had a history of professional misconduct dating back to 2020, when he was indefinitely suspended. The Minnesota Supreme Court disbarred him in January 2023. Citing that ruling, the Board of Immigration Appeals held that his disbarment was appropriate. Disciplinary bodies found Mr. Udeani failed to protect the legal interests of his clients—specifically vulnerable immigrants—failed to retain client funds or return unearned legal fees, and failed to cooperate with or respond to legal board investigations.

John Udo
Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1995, John Udo lost his licence when he was disbarred in Massachusetts and expelled from U.S. immigration tribunals in 2010. The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled his disbarment appropriate following a ten-count petition alleging theft and misuse of client funds, neglect of immigration matters involving vulnerable immigrants, and abandonment of client duties. Later in 2010, the Massachusetts Clients’ Security Board reimbursed 14 of his former clients after finding that Mr. Udo stole their funds, failed to return settlement monies, or accepted legal fees without providing services.

Emeka M. Uyamadu
Houston, Texas-based attorney Emeka M. Uyamadu was permanently disbarred from practising law in the United States in 2010 following felony convictions in Harris County District Court. Mr. Uyamadu was convicted of witness tampering and stealing between $20,000 and $100,000, a third-degree felony. Originally sentenced to 10 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, his sentence was suspended, and he was placed on community supervision for 10 years, ordered to pay a $5,000 fine, and ordered to serve 60 days in the Harris County Jail.

Owolabi Salis
Owolabi Salis, a U.S.-based lawyer who gained international acclaim as the first Nigerian to travel to space on June 29, was indicted in 2023 and disbarred by the New York State Supreme Court. His disbarment followed client complaints alleging he scammed them out of tens of thousands of dollars.

Andrew Ndubisi Ucheomumu
Andrew Ndubisi Ucheomumu, who operated legal offices in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, was disbarred in 2018 by the Maryland Court of Appeals (now the Supreme Court of Maryland) for repeated instances of professional misconduct. He failed to provide adequate representation, failed to refund at least $6,200 in unearned client fees, and made false and misleading statements during court proceedings.

Chukwu Uwakwe Oko
Practising in Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, Chukwu Uwakwe Oko was disbarred in 2013 after the 133rd Judicial District Court of Harris County determined he violated Rule 8.04(a)(3), which prohibits dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation, and forbids practising law while a licence is invalid. The Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review subsequently issued a final disciplinary order barring him from practising before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Lloyd F. Ukwu
District of Columbia attorney Lloyd F. Ukwu was disbarred in 2009 by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals after findings that he intentionally took client funds, forged a client’s signature, and lied about the matter. The Board on Professional Responsibility determined he engaged in dishonest conduct and intentionally misappropriated funds while handling a client’s 2004 settlement proceeds. Specifically, Mr. Ukwu settled the case without authority, forged the client’s signature on a settlement check, and intentionally misappropriated a substantial portion of the proceeds for personal use.

Anita C. Kanu (Anita C. Justin)
Los Angeles-based attorney Anita C. Kanu, also known as Anita C. Justin, was disbarred in 2010 by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. Investigations revealed violations of the District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, including making false or misleading statements, failing to refund unearned fees, and engaging in fraud, dishonesty, deceit, or misrepresentation. The violations arose from her failure to refund fees promised to two clients if she failed to obtain their requested immigration status. Her disbarment before immigration courts and the Department of Homeland Security was upheld by the board.

Benjamin Ndi
Benjamin Ndi, a New York-licensed practitioner operating in Maryland, was disbarred in 2018 for the illegal practice of law, misrepresenting his qualifications, and other ethical violations. The Supreme Court of Maryland announced his disbarment, noting he committed professional misconduct and violated rules regarding attorney trust accounts while offering immigration and legal services in Maryland without holding a state licence. Mr. Ndi failed to cooperate with Bar Counsel’s investigation, ignored discovery requests, and failed to appear for evidentiary or oral argument hearings. He was excluded from practising law in Maryland, and his disbarment before immigration courts and the Department of Homeland Security was upheld.

Alake Johnson-Ford
District of Columbia attorney Alake Johnson-Ford was disbarred for gross misconduct, including the misappropriation of client funds, criminal and dishonest conduct, failure to deliver funds to clients, and failure to provide competent representation. First disbarred in 2000 by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, the board suspended her from practice before immigration courts and the board for five years in 2021, noting she “is currently under our September 15, 2000, order of suspension”.