17 Lawyers Suspended for Breaching Professional Ethics

The Body of Benchers has sanctioned 17 lawyers in Nigeria over various cases of professional misconduct, imposing penalties ranging from suspension from legal practice to other disciplinary measures.

The sanctions were announced during the presentation of the 2025 report of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) at the second annual lecture of the Body of Benchers held in Abuja.

According to the report, the affected lawyers were found guilty of breaching professional ethics and standards expected of members of the legal profession. The disciplinary actions handed down include suspensions from practice for periods ranging between two and five years.

The event brought together key stakeholders in the Nigerian legal community, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association. Discussions at the gathering focused on strengthening ethical conduct, mentorship for young lawyers, and maintaining discipline within the profession.

Speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, expressed concern over the rising involvement of legal practitioners in financial crimes. He revealed that more than 100 senior lawyers are currently facing prosecution over alleged corruption and fraud-related offences.

The Body of Benchers emphasized that disciplinary actions were necessary to uphold integrity, accountability, and public trust in Nigeria’s legal system.

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee is responsible for investigating complaints and enforcing professional standards among lawyers in Nigeria.