Seven months after his Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was withdrawn, the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has reinstated the title for Chief Uche Ihediwa, former Attorney General of Abia State.
He was also cleared of all allegations of misconduct by the committee.
Persecondnews recalls that Ihediwa, who served under Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration in Abia State from 2015 to 2023, was suspended from using the SAN rank on July 1, 2024, pending investigations into allegations levelled against him.
The allegations were brought up by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).
Maikyau has filed a petition with Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who was then the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the LPPC, accusing Ihediwa of making unprofessional comments at the 2023 International Bar Association Conference in Paris.
He alleged that Ihediwa claimed corruption influenced the appointment of judges in the state during his tenure with bribes of up to N10 million exchanging hands to influence judicial appointments.
Following a thorough review, the LPPC cleared him of any wrongdoing and restored his SAN rank at its 163rd General Meeting held on February 6, 2025.
LPPC’s Secretary, Mr. Sarki Bello, released an official statement late Thursday, confirming the decision.
He said: “The LPPC, at its 163rd General Meeting held on July 1, 2024, suspended Chief Ihediwa (SAN) from further use of the rank of SAN based on a petition received by the LPPC.
“On February 6, 2025, after a thorough review of all material facts, the LPPC resolved to restore Chief Ihediwa to the rank of SAN.
“Pursuant to this decision, Chief Ihediwa is hereby restored to the rank of SAN with effect from February 6, 2025. The general public is hereby informed of this decision.”
The LPPC is a committee established by the Legal Practitioners Act of 1962 in Nigeria to regulate the SAN title.
The committee’s primary objectives are to determine eligibility for the SAN title, confer the title on deserving lawyers, and regulate associated privileges and responsibilities.
The committee comprises the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Attorney-General of the Federation and representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association.
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