Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, don reject di decision of di Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) wey suspend am from legal practice for three years. Di suspension come from disciplinary complaint wey relate to im role for legal representation of victims of di 2001 Zaki Biam massacre for Benue State.
Gadzama, for statement wey im release after di LPDC decision on July 29, 2026, announce say im don already tell im legal team to challenge di ruling before di Supreme Court. Im insist say di committee findings no get support from di evidence wey dem present or di applicable law.
Di LPDC also suspend another lawyer, Ocha Ulegede, for two years for di same matter. Di committee deliver dia decision on Wednesday, wey find both Gadzama and Ulegede guilty of breaching various provisions of di Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023.
Di committee further direct say all Heads of Superior Courts of Record for Nigeria go dey notified of dia decision, and di suspensions take immediate effect from di date of di judgment.
Di disciplinary proceedings arise from Complaint No. BB/LPDC/1314/2024, wey Mr. Chris Alashi institute against Ocha P. Ulegede and Joe-Kyari Gadzama. According to Gadzama, although im never receive di Certified True Copy (CTC) of di LPDC direction, im don already direct im lawyers to file appeal immediately.
Im explain say under Section 11(8)(a) of di Legal Practitioners Act, di filing of an appeal within di prescribed period automatically prevent di LPDC direction from taking effect until di appeal dey determined.
For im statement, Gadzama quote: “My attention has been drawn to the direction delivered today, 29 July 2026, by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) in Complaint No. BB/LPDC/1314/2024, instituted by Mr. Chris Alashi against Ocha P. Ulegede, Esq. I have been informed that the Committee found against me and directed that I be suspended from legal practice for a period of three years. While I am yet to receive or review the certified true copy of the direction, I have instructed my legal team to file an immediate appeal.”
Im also include: “Pursuant to Section 11(8)(a) of the Legal Practitioners Act, the filing of an appeal within the prescribed time prevents the direction from taking effect pending the determination of the appeal.”
Gadzama stress say im always respect di institutions wey dey regulate di legal profession, but im maintain say di LPDC reach erroneous conclusion. Im state: “I hold the institutions established to regulate the legal profession in the highest regard and remain firmly committed to the rule of law. However, I respectfully disagree with the Committee’s decision and firmly believe that it is not supported by the evidence or the applicable law.”
Addressing di allegations against am, Gadzama say di complaint accuse am of improperly taking over another lawyer’s brief, soliciting clients, and wrongfully appropriating professional fees. Im describe di allegations as entirely baseless.
According to am, im dey directly retained by di judgment creditors through written letters of instruction, and im carry out im professional responsibilities strictly according to dat lawful engagement. Im say: “I was retained directly by the Judgment Creditors through written letters of instruction and acted throughout strictly in accordance with that professional retainer. In my respectful view, the documentary evidence before the Committee does not support the findings made against me.”
Gadzama further state say di dispute essentially revolve around legal representation and professional fees, and im insist say di disciplinary process never be di appropriate avenue for resolving such disagreements.
Di SAN express confidence say di Supreme Court go carefully review both di legal and factual issues wey surround di matter. Im say: “I wish to reassure my clients, colleagues, friends and the general public that, upon the filing of the appeal within the time prescribed by law, my right to practise as a legal practitioner remains unaffected pending the final determination of the appeal, in accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act.”
Im express appreciation for di support wey im don receive since di LPDC decision, and im reiterate im commitment to di legal profession. “I remain steadfast in my commitment to the legal profession, the administration of justice and the highest standards of professional integrity. I trust in the judicial process and remain confident that justice will ultimately prevail,” im add.
For background, di Zaki Biam massacre dey from 2001 Nigerian military operation for Benue State, wey come after dem find 19 soldiers’ bodies for di area. During dat operation, soldiers allegedly kill over 200 villagers and destroy communities. Di government appeal but later negotiate out-of-court settlement of ₦8 billion.
