The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has given two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Chief J. K. Gadzama and former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, 14 days to explain why their privileges should not be suspended over separate disciplinary and legal matters.
The decision was taken at the committee’s meeting on October 13, 2026, following concerns about proceedings involving the two senior lawyers and their implications for the integrity of the SAN rank.
In Gadzama’s case, the LPPC’s action followed a decision by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to suspend him from legal practice for three years.
The LPPC is considering whether to suspend the privileges attached to his SAN rank pending the resolution of outstanding disciplinary proceedings involving him.
For Malami, the committee raised concerns about his conduct while serving as Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, particularly his role in settlement negotiations concerning the Mambilla case.
It also cited a final forfeiture order involving properties allegedly acquired by Malami with proceeds of crime.
The proposed suspension of Malami’s SAN privileges would remain in place pending the resolution of outstanding criminal and corruption-related matters involving him.
According to the committee, the seriousness of the matters and their potential implications for the dignity, integrity and professional standards associated with the rank warrant an examination of whether the two lawyers should continue to enjoy its privileges while the proceedings remain unresolved.
Both lawyers have been given 14 days to respond to the show-cause notices before the committee determines its next steps.
However, the notices do not amount to a final suspension of their SAN privileges. Any further action will depend on the committee’s consideration of their responses and the applicable procedures.
The developments place the professional standing of both senior lawyers under scrutiny as the LPPC considers the implications of the separate proceedings for the conferment and retention of the SAN rank.
