Ex-Abia AG, Uche Ihediwa, SAN rank restored
By Jeffrey Agbo
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has restored the Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) rank of former Attorney General of Abia State, Uche Ihediwa, following the conclusion of an investigation against him.
Last year, the LPPC suspended Ihediwa from using the SAN rank acting on a petition written by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) against him.
Former NBA President, Yakubu Maikyau (SAN), in December 2023, wrote the then Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the LPPC, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to complain that Ihediwa conducted himself in a manner incompatible with the dignity and honour of the rank of SAN.
Maikyau specifically cited an incident at the 2023 International Bar Association Conference in Paris where Ihediwa alleged during a showcase session that money exchanged hands in the process of appointment of judges in Abia State when he served as the Attorney General of the state.
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At the session, Ihediwa was said to have alleged that when he served as member of the Judicial Service Commission, members of the commission received bribes of up to N10 million to influence the appointments of judicial officers.
Maikyau said by announcing the said allegations against judicial officers at the session instead of reporting to the appropriate authorities to discipline the affected persons, Ihediwa acted unprofessionally and conducted himself in a manner which adversely affected the administration of justice as listeners would cease to have respect for Nigerian judges and the judiciary.
However, in a statement on February 12, 2025, signed by the LPPC Secretary Hajo Bello and obtained by TheNiche on Thursday, the committee said Ihediwa’s SAN had been restored.
“The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its 163rd General Meeting held on the 1st of July, 2024 suspended Chief Uche C. Ihediwa (SAN) from further use of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria based on a petition received by LPPC,” the statement read.
“The LPPC, on the 6th of February, 2025, after consideration of all material facts, resolved to restore Chief Uche C. Ihediwa to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“Pursuant to the Committee’s decision, Chief Uche C. Ihediwa is hereby restored to the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria with effect from the 6th of February, 2025. The general public is hereby informed of this decision.”
