Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and Life Bencher, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, has vowed to challenge before the Supreme Court, the decision of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) directing that he be suspended from legal practice for three years.
Gadzama maintained that the Committee’s findings were not supported by the documentary evidence before it, and expressed confidence that the Apex Court would overturn the decision.
In a statement issued following the LPDC’s decision in Complaint No. BB/LPDC/1314/2024, instituted by Mr Chris Alashi against Ocha P. Ulegede and himself, Gadzama said he had instructed his legal team to file an appeal immediately upon obtaining the Certified True Copy of the Committee’s direction. He noted that under Section 11(8)(a) of the Legal Practitioners Act, an appeal lodged within the prescribed period, automatically suspends the implementation of the LPDC’s direction pending the determination of the appeal by the Supreme Court.
While reiterating his respect for the institutions established to regulate the legal profession, Gadzama said he respectfully disagreed with the Committee’s findings, insisting that they were neither supported by the documentary evidence, nor by the applicable law. He maintained that he remained committed to the rule of law and had confidence that the judicial process would ultimately vindicate him.
