A Nigerian legal practitioner, Blessing Agbomhere, has filed a petition with the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against fellow lawyer Deji Adeyanju, alleging professional misconduct. The petition, received on November 2, 2026, claims Adeyanju made unsubstantiated and disparaging public statements about senior members of the Nigerian Bar, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Agbomhere argues these comments breach ethical standards expected of legal practitioners.
Agbomhere specifically cited Adeyanju's February 2026 comments describing Akpabio and other senior lawyers in the National Assembly as "political bandits." He also accused Adeyanju of repeatedly referring to Wike as a "thief" without providing evidence or citing any court conviction. The petitioner maintains such comments are inconsistent with the standards of civility, decorum, respect for seniority, and professional responsibility required of members of the legal profession.
The petition also questioned Adeyanju's handling of allegations made by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Akpabio regarding sexual harassment. According to Agbomhere, Adeyanju initially supported Akpoti-Uduaghan's position and threatened to petition foreign diplomatic missions but later urged her to provide evidence or withdraw her claims. This change in position has raised concerns about Adeyanju's professional judgment and public conduct.
To support his complaint, Agbomhere submitted newspaper publications and video recordings of Adeyanju's media engagements as exhibits for the committee's consideration. He urged the LPDC to investigate the allegations, emphasizing that lawyers must exercise restraint and responsibility when making public statements, particularly those concerning other members of the profession.
Agbomhere cited alleged violations of specific rules of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, including Rules 1, 26(1), 26(2), and 27(1). He requested that the committee require Adeyanju to respond to the allegations and explain why disciplinary measures should not be imposed if the claims are established.
The petitioner emphasized that the intervention of the disciplinary body is necessary to protect the integrity of the Nigerian Bar, preserve public confidence in the legal profession, and ensure that practitioners remain accountable to established ethical standards. The LPDC has received the petition and will investigate the allegations.
The allegations against Adeyanju are yet to be determined by the LPDC, and no finding of professional misconduct has been established. The committee's decision will be crucial in determining whether Adeyanju's actions constitute professional misconduct and what disciplinary actions, if any, will be taken.
Key points
- Agbomhere accuses Adeyanju of making unsubstantiated and disparaging public statements about senior members of the Nigerian Bar.
- The petition cites alleged violations of specific rules of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.
- The LPDC will investigate the allegations and determine whether disciplinary action is necessary.
