17 Lawyers Suspended Over Professional Misconduct

The Body of Benchers has sanctioned 17 lawyers for professional misconduct, imposing penalties ranging from two to five years’ suspension on the affected practitioners.

This was disclosed during the Body of Benchers’ annual lecture and the presentation of the 2025 report of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
Among those present at the event were senior members of the bench and bar, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun; the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN; the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Afam Osigwe, SAN; and several Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
The lecture, which held in Abuja, marked the second annual gathering of the Body of Benchers.
The conference, which also features the presentation of the yearly report of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, provides an opportunity to review developments in the legal profession and map out strategies for strengthening ethics and professionalism.
Discussions at the event also focused on discipline and mentorship for young lawyers.
Speaking at the conference, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Oluokoje, expressed concern over the increasing number of lawyers involved in financial crimes.
According to him, the commission is currently prosecuting more than 100 senior lawyers over various cases related to financial fraud.
A key highlight of the conference was the presentation of the 2025 report of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, which revealed that 17 lawyers were sanctioned for different offences.
The Body of Benchers, which regulates the legal profession in Nigeria, reiterated the importance of discipline, ethics, and professionalism as central values for members of the legal community. (Text, excluding headline: Channels TV)