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The Body of Benchers has sanctioned 17 lawyers in Nigeria for professional misconduct, with penalties ranging from two to five years’ suspension. This was revealed at the Body of Benchers’ annual lecture and presentation of the 2025 Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee’s report. The sanctions are a result of various offenses, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethics and professionalism in the legal profession.
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) is responsible for handling cases of professional misconduct among lawyers in Nigeria. The LPDC has the power to impose penalties, including disbarment, suspension, reprimand, monetary fines, and mandatory ethics training.
Some of the offenses that led to these sanctions include misappropriation of client funds, neglect of legal duties, dishonesty, and courtroom impropriety. For instance, Lawyer Marcel Udebuani was suspended for five years over property fraud, while Lawyer Everest Chinedum Ugwuowo was suspended for five years for a ₦29 million property fraud case.
The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Oluokoje, expressed concerns over rising cases of lawyers involved in financial fraud, noting that over 100 senior lawyers are currently being prosecuted by the commission.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also called on the Body of Benchers to take drastic measures to curb indiscipline in the legal profession. The NBA’s President, Olumide Akpata, urged the Body of Benchers to reform the LPDC to enable it to function effectively and restore public confidence in the legal profession.
To file a complaint against a lawyer in Nigeria, one can document the professional misconduct, choose a filing route, and submit the complaint to the LPDC or the NBA. The LPDC will investigate the complaint and may impose penalties if the lawyer is found guilty.
The LPDC’s role is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession in Nigeria. By holding lawyers accountable for their actions, the LPDC helps to protect the public and uphold the standards of the profession.
The Body of Benchers’ actions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that lawyers in Nigeria adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics.
