By Titus Eleweke
Anambra-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said a fresh question of professional accountability has arisen in Nigeria’s legal community following a petition by SPI-LAW against former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN.
Ejiofor said the petition before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) seeks disciplinary scrutiny of allegations of professional misconduct arising principally from findings contained in the September 16, 2026, Final Award of an International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) tribunal in the case involving Sunrise Power and Transmission Company Limited and the Federal Government of Nigeria.
In a statement titled, “No Sacred Cows at the Bar: SPI-LAW’s Petition Against Former AGF Abubakar Malami and the Imperative of Professional Accountability,” Ejiofor said the matter should be examined independently of any criminal proceedings that may arise from related allegations.
According to him, SPI-LAW’s petition asks the LPDC to determine whether conduct attributed to Malami in the ICC award amounts to professional misconduct under the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023, and the Legal Practitioners Act.
Ejiofor commended SPI-LAW for bringing the professional dimension of the allegations before the appropriate disciplinary authority, stressing that the allegations must be independently determined through due process.
He also called for the matter, where legally appropriate, to receive the attention of other professional bodies, including the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and the Body of Benchers.
The lawyer urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to ensure that professional standards apply equally to all lawyers, regardless of their political status, public office or professional standing.
“The fight against unethical conduct within the legal profession, whether involving ordinary lawyers or Senior Advocates, must be comprehensive, principled and consistent,” Ejiofor said.
“In pursuing that objective, there must be no sacred cows,” he added.
Tags: IfeanyiEjiofor #AbubakarMalami #LegalProfession
