Legal Storm: LPDC May Suspend SAN, Two Other Lawyers

According to Ireporter Online, the other lawyers named in the petition are Smart Ukpanah and Hope Onyekwere, who are accused of alleged professional misconduct, including claims of criminal misrepresentation, forgery, perjury and other actions said to violate legal ethics.

The LPDC, chaired by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kalu Umeh, reserved its decision after hearing arguments from counsel representing the respondents.

During the proceedings, counsel to the respondents, D.O. Okolo, urged the committee to dismiss the petition, arguing that the petitioner, Kingsley Aneubuna, had expressed his intention to withdraw the matter.

Okolo informed the panel that Aneubuna had submitted a letter indicating his desire to discontinue the petition, adding that the petitioner was aware of the proceedings but was not present before the committee.

However, the LPDC chairman rejected the request, stating that the committee’s rules did not allow withdrawal of a matter after the parties had joined issues through filed processes.

Umeh explained that the committee was obligated to proceed with the documents already presented before it, leading to the decision to reserve judgment until September 30.

The petition is linked to a disputed Abuja property transaction involving Plot No. 713, Cadastral Zone B14, Dutse District, Abuja, which is also connected to an ongoing legal dispute at the Federal Capital Territory High Court.

Aneubuna alleged that he paid ₦51 million in 2018 for a terrace duplex developed by Multi Shelters Limited and Uche Okoli, after receiving assurances that the property had no legal complications.

According to the petition, Aneubuna claimed that he and his lawyer sought clarification from Ezechukwu regarding the property’s status before completing payment and were assured that the title was free from encumbrances.

He alleged that after entering into the agreement, he later discovered that litigation over the property had already commenced and that an injunction had been issued by the court.

The petitioner further claimed that his name was included as a co-claimant in the court proceedings without his consent.

Aneubuna accused Ukpanah of filing legal documents and representing him and other subscribers without proper authorisation, while Onyekwere was alleged to have appeared in court on behalf of subscribers without their approval.

The petition also alleged that Ezechukwu presented a disputed version of the agreement between the parties, with claims that the document contained a forged signature and an altered date.

Aneubuna maintained that he relied on representations made by the respondents and their clients before making payment for the property, which later became the subject of legal controversy.

He subsequently hired another lawyer to seek his removal from the court case before filing the disciplinary petition against the legal practitioners.

The latest development comes after the LPDC recently sanctioned another Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe-Kyari Gadzama, suspending him from legal practice for three years over allegations connected to a case involving victims of the 2001 military attack in Zaki Biam, Benue State.

The disciplinary body also suspended another lawyer, Ocha Ulegede, for two years in connection with the same matter.