17 Nigerian Lawyers Disbarred, Suspended in US Over Fraud, Client Funds, Illegal Practice
Several Nigerian lawyers who practised in the United States have faced disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and disbarment, over various forms of professional misconduct, according to disciplinary records cited in a compilation of cases.
The sanctions, handed down by state courts and U.S. federal immigration and tax authorities, involved allegations and findings ranging from mishandling of clients’ funds and practising while suspended to dishonesty, fraud, neglect of clients’ matters and other breaches of professional rules.
Among the lawyers identified in the records are Alexander Osondu Akpodiete, Taiwo A. Agbaje, Cyril O. Chukwurah, Wilfred I. Aka, Chuck Odifu Egbune, Uchechi Okechukwu Nwakanma, Chinyere Alex Ogoke, Ignatius Chukwuemeka Udeani, John Udo, Emeka M. Uyamadu, Owolabi Salis, Andrew Ndubisi Ucheomumu, Chukwu Uwakwe Oko, Lloyd F. Ukwu, Anita C. Kanu, Benjamin Ndi and Alake Johnson-Ford.
Formerly based in Florida, Alexander Osondu Akpodiete faced disciplinary proceedings on multiple occasions between 2005 and 2008.
The misconduct cited in the records included contempt-related violations, failure to keep a client adequately informed about the status of a matter and allegedly taking an additional $1,000 from a credit card used by a client to pay legal fees without authorisation.
Although he had previously been suspended, the Florida Supreme Court disbarred Akpodiete in 2010.
Taiwo A. Agbaje, who practised in Maryland, was disbarred at both the state and federal levels.
The U.S. Executive Office for Immigration Review announced his debarment on June 16, 2016, following a final order of the Board of Immigration Appeals based on his Maryland disbarment.
The disciplinary findings involved, among other matters, conflict of interest, dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice.
The records stated that Agbaje received $40,000 from a client for a real estate investment in Baltimore, with the court describing his conduct as dishonest and deceitful.
Cyril O. Chukwurah, based in Texas, was disbarred in 2015 following several instances of professional misconduct.
The disciplinary action included practising law while on active suspension, violating disciplinary judgments in two other cases and failing to properly deliver funds belonging to clients.
His disciplinary record was described as extensive, and he was subsequently barred from practising before the Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigration Courts and the Department of Homeland Security.
Los Angeles-based lawyer and Certified Public Accountant Wilfred I. Aka was disbarred in 2025 by the U.S. Tax Court and the federal Board of Immigration Appeals.
The action followed disciplinary proceedings in 2019 and 2020.
The records cited failures in his professional duties to the court, clients and opposing counsel.
Chuck Odifu Egbune, based in Colorado, was first suspended in 2023 over professional misconduct before being disbarred in 2025.
The disciplinary action centred on his alleged illegal practice of law while under suspension.
He was found to have represented his sister in court without a valid licence, contrary to Colorado law restricting the practice of law by unlicensed persons.
Uchechi Okechukwu Nwakanma, also known as Prince Nwakanma, was based in Houston, Texas.
He was first suspended in 2015 for failure to pay required fees and comply with continuing legal education requirements.
In 2017, the Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigration Courts and Department of Homeland Security disbarred him from practice before those bodies. The Supreme Court of Kansas subsequently found the disbarment appropriate.
Chicago-based lawyer Chinyere Alex Ogoke, who was licensed to practise in 2005, was disbarred in 2021 after practising before U.S. immigration authorities despite a previous suspension.
According to the disciplinary record, Ogoke filed notices of appearance for 11 immigration clients while suspended from practising before the Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigration Courts and DHS.
The record further stated that he falsely represented that he was not subject to any order restricting his right to practise.
The disciplinary body found that his continued practice despite the suspension and his representations concerning his status constituted serious violations of professional rules.
Ignatius Chukwuemeka Udeani, based in Bloomington, Minnesota, had a disciplinary history dating back to 2020, when he was indefinitely suspended.
The Minnesota Supreme Court disbarred him in January 2023.
The disciplinary findings included failure to protect the interests of clients, particularly vulnerable immigrants; failure to safeguard and return client funds and unearned legal fees; and failure to cooperate with or respond to investigations by the relevant legal authorities.
The Board of Immigration Appeals subsequently held that his disbarment was appropriate.
John Udo, admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1995, was disbarred from practising law in Massachusetts and expelled from practice before U.S. immigration tribunals in 2010.
The Board of Immigration Appeals acted following a disciplinary petition containing 10 counts, including allegations concerning misuse and theft of client funds, neglect of immigration matters involving vulnerable immigrants and abandonment of professional responsibilities.
Later in 2010, the Massachusetts Clients’ Security Board reportedly paid 14 former clients after determining that Udo had misappropriated their funds, failed to return settlement monies or collected legal fees without providing the corresponding legal services.
Emeka M. Uyamadu, based in Houston, Texas, was permanently disbarred in 2010 following felony convictions in Harris County District Court.
The records state that Uyamadu was convicted of stealing between $20,000 and $100,000, a third-degree felony, as well as tampering with a witness.
He was initially sentenced to 10 years in the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, although the sentence was later suspended and he was placed on 10 years’ community supervision.
He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine and serve 60 days in Harris County Jail.
Owolabi Salis, a U.S.-based lawyer who has been described as the first Nigerian to travel to space on June 29, was indicted in 2023 and subsequently disbarred by the New York State Supreme Court.
The disciplinary action followed multiple complaints from clients who accused him of taking tens of thousands of dollars from them through fraudulent schemes.
Andrew Ndubisi Ucheomumu, who had offices in Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland, was disbarred in 2018 by the Maryland Court of Appeals, now the Supreme Court of Maryland.
The disciplinary findings included failure to properly represent clients, failure to refund at least $6,200 in unearned fees, and making misleading and false statements in court proceedings.
Chukwu Uwakwe Oko, who practised in Houston and Sugar Land, Texas, was disbarred in 2013.
The 133rd Judicial District Court of Harris County found that he violated professional rules relating to dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation and practised law while his licence was invalid.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review also issued a final disciplinary order suspending or barring him from practising before immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals.
Lloyd F. Ukwu, based in the District of Columbia, was disbarred in 2009 by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
The disciplinary findings stated that Ukwu intentionally misappropriated client funds and engaged in dishonest conduct.
The misconduct arose from his handling of a client’s settlement proceeds in 2004. According to the record, he settled the client’s case without authority, forged the client’s signature on a settlement cheque and misappropriated a substantial portion of the settlement for his personal use.
Anita C. Kanu, also known as Anita C. Justin, a Nigerian lawyer based in Los Angeles, was disbarred by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals in 2010.
The disciplinary proceedings found violations of the District of Columbia Rules of Professional Conduct, including failure to refund unearned fees and making false or misleading statements concerning her legal services.
The findings also involved conduct relating to fraud, dishonesty, deceit or misrepresentation after she allegedly failed to refund fees she had promised to return to two clients if she did not secure the immigration status for which they had engaged her.
Her disbarment before immigration courts and DHS was subsequently upheld.
Benjamin Ndi, a New York-based lawyer, was disbarred in Maryland in 2018 after disciplinary proceedings concerning his provision of immigration and other legal services in the state despite not being licensed there.
The Supreme Court of Maryland found violations of professional conduct rules, including rules relating to attorney trust accounts.
The record also stated that Ndi did not fully cooperate with Bar Counsel’s investigation, failed to respond to discovery requests and did not appear at the evidentiary hearing or oral argument.
His name was consequently ordered to be placed on the list of attorneys excluded from practising law in Maryland. His disbarment before immigration authorities was also upheld.
Alake Johnson-Ford, based in the District of Columbia, was disbarred in 2000 by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.
Her disciplinary record included findings concerning misappropriation of client funds, dishonest and criminal conduct, failure to deliver funds to clients and failure to provide adequate representation.
In 2021, the disciplinary authorities also suspended her from practice before the Board of Immigration Appeals and Immigration Courts for five years.
The records noted that she remained subject to the September 15, 2000 order of suspension.
The cases highlight the disciplinary consequences lawyers can face in the United States where courts and professional regulatory bodies find violations of ethical and professional obligations, particularly those involving client funds, unauthorised practice, dishonesty and failure to properly represent clients.
Credit: [Peoples Gazette]
