Re: Ozekhome’s SAN title: Precedence and matters arising — by Richard Akinnola

In 2018, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Dr Joseph Nwobike was tried at the High court by the EFCC for perverting justice. At the end of the trial, he was jailed 30 days.

Immediately after his conviction, the Legal practioners privileges Committee (LPPC) suspended his SAN title.
The decision of the LPPC read inter alia:
“…This is sequel to his conviction by the Lagos State High Court of justice for perversion of justice in charge No. LD/2516C/2016-FRN V. Dr. Joseph Nwobike SAN and pending the investigation of the sub-committee set up by the chairman of the Legal Practitioner’s Privileges Committee, the Right Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen.”

Dr Nwobike appealed to the court of appeal, which upheld his conviction but at the Supreme Court, the conviction was set aside in 2021 and his SAN title restored.

Now, the LPPC has suspended the SAN rank of Chief Mike Ozekhome pending the outcome of its investigation over alleged professional malpractice arising from the judgment of a UK court over a disputed property.

Concurrently, Ozekhome is currently facing a criminal trial at the FCT High court before Justice C.N. Oji on the same matter.

While l concede that the LPPC have the right to suspend and/or withdraw a SAN rank, I was wondering that based on the precedence in respect of Dr Nwobike whose SAN rank was suspended after his conviction, why the same precedent was not followed in respect of Ozekhome’s case.

While Ozekhome would, presumably have appeared before the committe, would this suspension of his SAN rank during the pendency of his trial, not prejudicial to his trial? I’m just thinking aloud to deepen the conversation.