The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) hereby informs all members and the public that the Body of Benchers, through its Secretary (Daniel M. Tela, Esq.), has transmitted final directions from the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) suspending six legal practitioners from practice, effective immediately (subject to any appeals). The matter concerns multiple complaints filed under the following case numbers:
| # | Complainant v. Respondent | Case No. | Sanction / Direction | Publicly Reported Offence(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emmanuel Oyedele Oyekunle v. Michael Olalekan Olawoyin, Esq. | BB/LPDC/461/2021 | Suspension for five years; refund to complainant within 30 days | Olawoyin was found guilty of infamous conduct in a professional respect for fraudulently selling the same land twice and failing to deliver the title or possession. He was ordered to pay back ₦13,270,000 to the complainant. |
| 2 | Uche C. Joseph Njoku v. Prince Onwenieke Williams-Joel, Esq. | BB/LPDC/390/2020 | Suspension for two years; refund ₦4.5 million | (Direction as per NBA notice — no independently confirmed detailed offence published) |
| 3 | Monday Omon Ojo v. Edward Oseghale, Esq. | BB/LPDC/295/2020 | Suspension for two years; refund of the collected sum | The LPDC had earlier found Oseghale guilty of misconduct — in one report, specifically alleging misappropriation of client funds (in relation to a client named Kingsley Eigbokhan, involving ₦405,000). |
| 4 | Oghene Pela v. Mike Patrick Adinye, Esq. | BB/LPDC/356/2020 | Suspension for three years; publication of the direction | Media sources report that Adinye was suspended for acting in a dual capacity as both solicitor and agent in a ₦72 million land transaction, which is alleged to be a conflict of interest/professional misconduct. |
| 5 | Capt. Dada Olaniyi Labinjo v. Jonathan Chinedu Nwagwu, Esq. | BB/LPDC/360/2020 | Suspension for three years; refund of ₦2.45 million | In prior LPDC sanction announcements, Nwagwu was required to refund ₦1,947,043.70 plus ₦500,000 (as a penalty) following findings of misconduct. |
| 6 | Peter Okoye Nwankwo v. Cyprian Obiora Ifeanyi Agwuna, Esq. | BB/LPDC/290/2020 | Suspension for two years | Agwuna was found guilty of infamous conduct for using insulting and disrespectful language toward a magistrate in Anambra State, in violation of Rule 31 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The LPDC determined that rather than lodge proper complaints, he addressed a letter to the Chief Judge and a copy to the Magistrate, calling the judicial officer compromised, lying, and lacking understanding. |
Important caveats:
- This notice is issued without prejudice to the respondents’ right to appeal, and whenever an appeal is properly filed, the filing operates as a stay on enforcement of the suspension.
- The decisions also require that the directions be published in a national newspaper (e.g., The Punch), the Federal Gazette, and circulated to all courts and legal/judicial authorities across Nigeria.
Context & Significance
- Upholding Professional Integrity
These sanctions reflect the LPDC’s role in preserving the dignity and ethical standards of the legal profession. Lawyers are held to high standards, and infractions involving dishonesty, conflict of interest, misuse of client funds, or disrespect to the bench are taken seriously. - High-Profile Land Fraud Case
The Olawoyin case is particularly striking. According to media reports, he accepted N11 million from the complainant for a parcel of land in Ketu, Lagos, issued official receipts, and yet allegedly sold the same property to a third party later. The LPDC characterised the conduct as falling short of the high ethical standard expected of counsel, especially when allegations of fraudulent misrepresentation are involved. - Judicial Respect & Communication
In the Agwuna matter, the LPDC emphasised that even in disputes or criticisms of a judicial officer, a practitioner must follow proper channels. Disrespectful, disparaging, or insulting language cannot be tolerated in direct correspondence to courts or judges. - Role of Correct Process
As the NBA itself has emphasised through its Ethics & LPDC teams, the committee’s work must be transparent, fair, and in strict adherence to procedural rules and the Legal Practitioners Act.
What Members Should Note
- Lawyers who see their names on this list should immediately check whether an appeal was filed and whether a stay has been granted.
- Colleagues must refrain from engaging or collaborating in legal practice with a suspended practitioner, lest they breach professional conduct rules themselves.
- The NBA encourages all members to remain informed of LPDC processes and decisions and to support the enforcement of ethical standards within the profession.
The NBA remains committed to maintaining the integrity of legal practice in Nigeria and ensuring that disciplinary mechanisms operate fairly, efficiently, and in full view of the profession.
