*Photo: Chief Mike Ozekhome*
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended Chief Mike Ozekhome from the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday by Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, Kabir E. A which said the committee took the decision at its 173rd General Meeting held on June 23, 2026.
According to the statement, the action was taken pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and all matters pertaining to the rank, pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings, presently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC and other 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.
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 ofprofessional 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.
Ozekhome was suspended from the rank of SAN pending the final determination of disciplinary proceedings against him regarding a fraudulent property dispute in London.
A United Kingdom First-tier Property Tribunal had dismissed claims over a disputed house at 79 Randall Avenue, North London. The tribunal ruled that the case built by Ozekhome and his associates was based on fraud, impersonation, and forged documents. Ozekhome claimed the property was a gift from a man named Tali Shani, but the tribunal concluded that neither “Mr” nor “Ms” Tali Shani actually existed.
Following the UK ruling, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) opened an investigation. In January 2026, criminal charges were filed against Ozekhome in Nigeria for fraud, forgery, and the use of false documents (including a forged Nigerian passport) linked to the property. The Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) subsequently took over the prosecution.
In March 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of the London house to the Federal Government because no legitimate claimant could establish true ownership.
While Ozekhome has strongly denied any wrongdoing and promised to defend himself, he is strictly barred from parading or holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria until all disciplinary and related legal proceedings are fully concluded.