Several U.S.-based Nigerian lawyers have faced disciplinary sanctions, including suspension and disbarment, according to a tranche of documents seen by Peoples Gazette.
The Gazette presents a list of U.S.-based Nigerian lawyers suspended for professional misconduct. Some have been reinstated as of the time of publication.
Suspended but reinstated
Kehinde Oluwaranti Jobi
A New York-based lawyer, Ms Jobi was suspended from practising law in 2009 by the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York for not cooperating with the investigation committee and not providing her bank statements.
In 2011, the Supreme Court of California imposed a 90-day suspension and two years’ probation for failing to perform legal services competently and failing to maintain client funds and tax returns for 2006 and 2007 during investigations. The Board of Immigration Appeals upheld her indefinite suspension before the Immigration Courts and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). She was later reinstated in 2023.
Alaba S. Ajetunmobi
Alaba S. Ajetunmobi, a Nigerian lawyer based in Los Angeles, was suspended for 90 days in 2011 and placed on two years’ probation by the Supreme Court of California for failing to perform legal services with competence and failing to maintain client funds in trust. The board upheld his suspension, but reinstated him in 2012.
John Nwabuwane Akwuba
Akwuba, a legal practitioner based in St. Paul, Minnesota, was suspended in 2015 by the Minnesota Supreme Court over a series of professional misconduct, including not informing clients when he received money belonging to them and disbursing the same promptly, poor record-keeping, and conviction for domestic violence, beating his seven-year-old son. However, he was reinstated in 201 practitioner, Mr Nwaneri was suspended from practising law twice, in 2017 and 2022, by the Supreme Court of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Justice due to professional misconduct.
Simeon Olumide Coker
For professional misconduct bordering on failing to adequately inform his clients, account for clients’ funds, and disburse them promptly, Mr Coker was suspended for 36 months in 2019. He was reinstated in 2022 after the suspension period elapsed.
Kelechi Charles Emeziem
In 2006, the State Bar Court of California suspended Mr Emeziem from practice for 18 months for professional misconduct, including leaving the operations of his San Jose law office to unlicensed attorneys and failing to collect and adequately disburse clients’ money. The board upheld his 18-month suspension before the immigration courts and the DHS. He was later reinstated in 2009 after the suspension.
Herbert A. Igbanugo
First suspended in 2015, then again in 2023 and reinstated, Mr Igbanugo was slammed with a 12-month suspension for filing a frivolous federal lawsuit, according to the Minnesota Supreme Court. The board upheld Mr Igbanugo’s suspension before the Immigration Courts and the DHS.
Patrick Chinedu Nwaneri
A Minnesota-based legal practitioner, Mr Nwaneri was suspended from practising law twice, in 2017 and 2022, by the Supreme Court of Minnesota and the U.S. Department of Justice due to professional misconduct. He was reinstated to practise in 2023.
Anthony Nwosu
Mr Nwosu, a legal practitioner based in San Francisco, was suspended from practising law for 18 months in 2008 by the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division and the Board of Immigration Appeals. He was reinstated after completing his suspension in 2010.
Uchenna Samuel Ogbu-Nwobodo
Based in San Francisco, Mr Ogbu-Nwobodo was suspended from practising law for 60 days and placed on one year of probation by the Supreme Court of California and, subsequently, by immigration authorities in 2009. He was reinstated after the suspension in 2010.
James O. Okorafor
The State Bar of Texas suspended Mr Okorafor from the practice of law for two years for engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation. The board granted the government’s petition for immediate suspension on Sept. 15, 2011, based on Mr Okorafor’s suspension in Texas and pending final disposition of his case. He was reinstated in 2013.
Justin C. Osemene
A Nigerian legal practitioner based in Washington, Mr Osemene was suspended from practising law for two years by the Washington Supreme Court and the U.S. Department of Justice; he pleaded guilty to the charges in 2013, and the Washington Supreme Court later reinstated him in 2016. In 2020, he was placed on indefinite suspension for professional misconduct but was reinstated in 2015 and again in 2021.
Bobby Gordon Okechuku Onyemeh Sea
First debarred for filing false tax returns, misrepresentation and fraud after he pleaded guilty to the charges in 2013, Mr Sea was later reinstated in 2016. In 2020, he was placed on indefinite suspension for professional misconduct but was reinstated in 2021.
Pius Airewele
A Nigerian legal practitioner based in Massachusetts/Georgia, Mr Airwele was suspended for six months for misconduct in 2012. He was found guilty of abandoning clients’ cases and failing to attend a hearing. He was later reinstated in 2013.