Ex-Abia AG Uche Ihediwa Suspended From Using SAN Rank
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended former Attorney General of Abia State, Uche Ihediwa, from using the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pending the outcome of ongoing investigations against him.
According to a statement issued by LPPC Secretary Sarki Bello, the decision was made during the committee’s 163rd General Meeting held on July 1st, 2024. The committee extensively reviewed a petition submitted by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against Mr. Ihediwa.
In December 2023, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, addressed a complaint to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and LPPC Chairman, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, accusing Mr. Ihediwa of conduct unbecoming of a SAN. The complaint stemmed from remarks made by Mr. Ihediwa during a showcase session at the 2023 International Bar Association Conference in Paris.
During the session, Mr. Ihediwa alleged that during his tenure as a member of the Judicial Service Commission, lawyers within the Commission accepted bribes of up to Ten Million Naira to influence judicial appointments in Abia State.
NBA President Maikyau criticized Mr. Ihediwa for making these allegations publicly rather than reporting them to the appropriate authorities for disciplinary action. He argued that such unprofessional conduct undermines the integrity of the judiciary and erodes public confidence in Nigerian judges.
Maikyau emphasized that lawyers are obligated to report any breaches of professional conduct to the relevant authorities. He noted that subsequent attempts to obtain further information from Mr. Ihediwa to facilitate formal complaints and potential criminal investigations were ignored.
In response to these allegations, the LPPC has established a committee to thoroughly investigate the matter.
