The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended Mike Ozekhome from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pending the conclusion of disciplinary proceedings against him.
The decision was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Kabir Akanbi, the chief registrar of the Supreme Court, following the committee’s 173rd General Meeting held on June 23.
According to the LPPC, the suspension was approved in line with Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters relating to the rank.
The committee stated that the suspension would remain in effect pending the outcome of disciplinary proceedings before its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee and other related proceedings.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
Ozekhome is currently facing trial alongside Ponfa Useni, son of the late former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jeremiah Useni, over allegations of using a fake Nigerian passport in a disputed property matter in the United Kingdom.
The two men were arraigned in February before Justice Chizoba Oji of the FCT High Court, Maitama, on a 12-count charge.
They pleaded not guilty to all counts and were subsequently granted bail in the sum of N10 million each, with one surety in like sum. The court also ordered that the sureties must own property within the FCT.
The case revolves around ownership claims over a property located at 79 Randall Avenue, London NW2 7SX.
Ozekhome and the late Jeremiah Useni are among the parties linked to the dispute, which was brought before the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Land Registration in the UK under case number REF/2023/0155.
The matter was instituted by Tali Shani against Ozekhome, with competing claims over ownership of the London property.
Ozekhome maintained that he acquired the property as a gift from “Mr Tali Shani” in 2021. However, lawyers representing “Ms Tali Shani” argued that she was the legitimate owner.
During the proceedings, a witness identified as “Mr Tali Shani” testified in support of Ozekhome, claiming he possessed “powers of attorney” over the property and had transferred it to the senior lawyer.
Meanwhile, Tali Shani claimed ownership of the property dating back to 1993 and said he had appointed Jeremiah Useni as his property manager, describing the late retired lieutenant-general as an “elder friend and business partner”.
Witnesses representing “Ms Tali Shani” also tendered several documents, including an obituary announcement, National Identification Number (NIN) card, ECOWAS passport and telephone records, in support of her claim to the property.
However, the tribunal found that all documents submitted on behalf of “Ms Tali Shani” were fake. It subsequently dismissed all claims before it, ruling that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani existed.
