LPPC Gives Gadzama, Malami 14 Days to Defend SAN Privileges
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has given Abuja based senior lawyer, Chief J. K. Gadzama, SAN, and former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN, 14 days to show cause why the privileges attached to their rank as Senior Advocates of Nigeria should not be suspended.
The decision was taken at the LPPC meeting held on October 13, 2026, following concerns over disciplinary and other proceedings involving the two senior lawyers.
In Gadzama’s case, the committee’s decision followed a directive by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) suspending him from legal practice for three years.
The LPPC is considering whether the privileges attached to his SAN rank should be suspended pending the resolution of all outstanding disciplinary proceedings involving him.
For Malami, the committee cited concerns relating to his conduct while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, particularly his role in settlement negotiations concerning the Mambilla case.
The committee also referenced a final forfeiture order involving properties alleged to have been acquired by Abubakar Malami, SAN from proceeds of crime.
The proposed suspension of Malami’s SAN privileges would remain in effect pending the resolution of outstanding criminal and corruption-related matters involving him.
The LPPC explained that its decision to invite both lawyers to show cause was informed by the seriousness of the matters involved and their potential implications for the integrity, dignity and professional standards associated with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The committee considers the allegations and proceedings sufficiently serious to warrant an examination of whether both lawyers should continue enjoying the privileges of the rank while the outstanding matters remain unresolved.
Both Gadzama and Malami have been given 14 days to submit their responses before the committee takes a further decision.
