LPDC Reserves Ruling on Misconduct Petition Against SAN Ikechukwu Ezechukwu and Two Lawyers
The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has reserved its ruling until September 30 in a high-profile petition alleging professional misconduct against Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, alongside two other lawyers, Smart Ukpanah and Hope Onyekwere.
The petition, filed by Kingsley Aneubuna, raises serious allegations of criminal misrepresentation, forgery, perjury, and unethical practices said to contravene the professional obligations of legal practitioners in Nigeria.
The committee, chaired by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kalu Umeh, reserved its decision after hearing submissions from counsel to the respondents.
The panel, chaired by Kalu Umeh,SAN, heard submissions from counsel to the respondents, D.O. Okolo, who urged dismissal of the petition. Okolo argued that the petitioner, Kingsley Aneubuna, had formally indicated his intention to withdraw the matter, citing a letter sent to the committee.
However, the committee rejected the application for dismissal. Umeh clarified that under LPDC rules, once issues have been joined, withdrawal is not permissible.
He stated:“Since issues have been joined, we are obligated by the rules of this committee to adopt the processes filed by the petitioner.”
The panel therefore adjourned and reserved its ruling until September 30.
The dispute centers on Plot No. 713, Cadastral Zone B14, Dutse District, Abuja, which is also the subject of Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/1182/2018 involving Uche Okoli, Multi Shelters Limited, the EFCC, and others.
In 2018, Aneubuna alleged he was offered a terrace duplex valued at ₦51 million by Okoli and Multi Shelters Limited. Before payment, he sought clarification from Ezechukwu, who allegedly assured him that the property title was clean. Relying on these assurances, Aneubuna paid and executed an agreement.The petition claims that despite promises of completion within two years, construction stalled.
In 2021, Aneubuna discovered that litigation over the property had been ongoing since 2018, with an injunction already in place granted by Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf.
The petitioner also alleged that his name had been included as a co-claimant in the suit without his approval.
He accused Ukpanah of filing court processes and representing him and other subscribers without authorisation.
Onyekwere was also accused of testifying in court on behalf of the petitioner and other subscribers without their knowledge or consent.
The petition further alleged that Ezechukwu tendered a forged version of the agreement between the petitioner and his clients, and was backdated to 2012 instead of 2018, when the genuine agreement was executed.
He also alleged that both the disputed and genuine agreements were prepared by the SAN, who knew that litigation over the property was pending when the transaction was concluded.
The petitioner claimed that he paid for the property based on alleged misrepresentations made by the respondents and their clients.
Aneubuna later sought removal of his name from the suit and filed Petition No. BB/LPDC/760/2022.
This case follows recent disciplinary measures by the LPDC, including the suspension of SAN Joe-Kyari Gadzama for three years over alleged unethical conduct in the Zaki Biam military attack case, and the suspension of Ocha Ulegede for two years.
