Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee suspends two lawyers

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has issued a landmark ruling suspending Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, for three years and Ocha P. Ulegede for two years. The disciplinary action follows a complaint by Chris Alashi, who alleged that the two lawyers conspired to deprive him of professional fees related to an N8 billion consent judgment stemming from the Zaki-Biam massacre litigation.

Alashi’s complaint included allegations of client poaching and conduct unbecoming of legal practitioners. While the LPDC found both parties liable under various rules of professional conduct, the ruling has faced legal scrutiny regarding procedural fairness and jurisdictional standards.

In response to the suspension, Chief Gadzama has sought judicial review. On August 20, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Obiora-Atuegwu Egwuatu, granted Gadzama leave to apply for an order of certiorari to quash the LPDC’s direction. The legal proceedings are ongoing, with the matter adjourned to September 4, 2026.