ALDRAP challenges Ozekhome's SAN suspension at ECOWAS and NICN courts over rights violations
ALDRAP has filed suits at the ECOWAS Court of Justice and National Industrial Court of Nigeria seeking to quash the LPPC's June 23, 2026 suspension of Mike Ozekhome's SAN rank. The plaintiff alleges the suspension violates Ozekhome's right to fair trial and presumption of innocence under Article 7 of the African Charter by punishing him before guilt is proven in pending disciplinary proceedings. ALDRAP also claims the Nigerian government violated equality before law (Article 3) by selectively prosecuting Ozekhome while not pursuing similar sanctions against other SANs like former AGF Abubakar Malami facing EFCC/DSS charges, and violated freedom of association (Article 10) by interfering with ALDRAP's internal affairs. The suit seeks N500 million compensation, immediate restoration of Ozekhome's SAN rank, and an end to perceived persecution. LPPC justified the suspension via Paragraph 26(6) of its SAN Conferment Guidelines to 'safeguard integrity' of the rank, stating it acts pending final determination by its Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee. ALDRAP counters that only the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) holds disciplinary investigation authority, not LPPC. The ECOWAS suit names Federal Republic of Nigeria and Ozekhome as respondents; the NICN suit targets LPPC Chairman Kabir Akanbi, LPPC Secretary, Ozekhome, and the Attorney-General. This challenge tests whether professional disciplinary bodies can impose sanctions concurrent with ongoing legal proceedings without violating constitutional due process protections under Section 36(9).