LPDC Suspends Lawyer, George Obidiaso For Two Years Over Professional Misconduct

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has handed down a two-year suspension to lawyer George Nnaemeka Obidiaso for professional misconduct, following a hearing on allegations of infamous conduct.

Chaired by Emmanuel C. Ukala, SAN, the LPDC issued a Direction on October 8, 2020, finding Obidiaso guilty on two counts out of four leveled by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The complaint, dated March 5, 2020, accused Obidiaso of abusing court processes by filing two separate suits against a tenant, Engineer Akin Olusina, over the same matter, while also engaging in contemptuous conduct and practicing as a solicitor while involved in facility management.

Though not liable for making prejudicial statements or abuse of court process, the LPDC found Obidiaso in breach of professional conduct rules, resulting in a two-year suspension effective from the Direction date. Additionally, the LPDC ordered the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court to annotate the suspension on Obidiaso’s legal practitioner roll.

The LPDC mandated publication of the Direction in the Punch Newspaper and Federal Gazette and notification to relevant authorities, including the President of the NBA and the Chief Justice of Nigeria.