The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, LPDC, has ordered a two-year suspension of a Port Harcourt based lawyer, Barrister Benjamin Obiora, over findings of professional misconduct.
Obiora of the Lord view Solicitors was linked to abuse of judicial processes in the Indorama Host Communities of Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The disciplinary proceedings were initiated following a petition filed by Hon. Benjamin Ngokanya of Okerewa Community in Suit No. BB/LPDC/1628/2025, Benjamin Ngokanya (Okerewa Community) v. Benjamin Obiora, Esq.
The petition alleged that the respondent engaged in acts of incitement, interference, and financial impropriety under the guise of providing legal representation to the host communities.
The applicant during the hearing, presented that the lawyer allegedly received an estimated sum of ₦2.5 billion purportedly for legal services rendered to the communities.
The applicant also noted that the respondent proceeded to institute an action before the High Court of Rivers State, presided over by Justice Ben White, seeking to restrain or set aside a subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal.
However, LPDC in its decision noted that such action constituted a grave procedural irregularity, as a lower court lacks jurisdiction to overturn or interfere with the decision of an appellate court.
The committee found that the respondent demonstrated a lack of professional competence and engaged in conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner.
The Committee particularly held that filing a matter before the High Court in the face of an existing appellate judgment amounted to a clear abuse of court process.
The Committee, however, admonished the respondent to use the period of suspension as an opportunity for professional reorientation and to realign with the ethical standards expected of members of the Bar.
It further stated that the ruling would be formally communicated to key institutions, including the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, Commissioners of Police across the 36 states, heads of courts at various levels, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other relevant bodies.
Meanwhile, counsel for the applicant, Joseph Ameh, Esq., expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the evidence presented sufficiently established a pattern of unethical conduct by the respondent.
He further alleged that Barrister Obiora had a history of “forum shopping,” moving between courts in pursuit of favorable outcomes in matters that were procedurally defective or improperly constituted.
Also, the Paramount ruler of Okerewa Community, Chief Eteeh Osaro Elechi, praised the LPDC for upholding the principles of the legal profession while also applauding their son Hon. Benjamin Ngokanya for standing for the community despite the many confrontation and challenges.
