LPDC Suspends SAN Joe-Kyari Gadzama for Three Years Over Zaki Biam Case Misconduct

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria just lost the right to practice for the next three years, over a dispute that traces back to a decades-old massacre compensation case.

The Decision

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has suspended Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, from legal practice for three years over professional misconduct tied to the long-running compensation case for victims of the 2001 Zaki Biam massacre in Benue State. A co-respondent in the case, lawyer Ocha Ulegede, received a two-year suspension over the same matter. The panel, chaired by Umeh Kalu, SAN, and including two state Chief Judges and two other SANs, delivered its decision on Wednesday, finding both men liable for breaching the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023.

What the Case Was About

The dispute traces back to a petition filed by lawyer Chris Alashi, who accused Gadzama of improperly taking over clients Alashi was already representing, alongside Ulegede and fellow SAN Sebastine Hon, in the Zaki Biam litigation. The underlying case involved survivors and victims' families seeking compensation after Nigerian soldiers killed over 200 villagers in October 2001, an operation later known as "Operation No Living Thing." The federal government eventually settled the matter for N8 billion. After reviewing years of court records, affidavits, and documentary evidence, the LPDC concluded that Gadzama had improperly taken over the brief, solicited clients already under representation, and wrongfully appropriated professional fees connected to the settlement.

Gadzama Is Pushing Back

In a public statement, Gadzama rejected the findings entirely, insisting he was retained directly by the judgment creditors through formal written instructions and acted strictly within that mandate. He described the allegations as unfounded and confirmed he has instructed his legal team to file an immediate appeal.

What Happens Next

The suspension took effect from the date of judgment, and the LPDC has directed that all heads of Nigeria's superior courts of record be formally notified, meaning Gadzama cannot appear before them during the suspension period, pending any appeal outcome.

Why It Matters

Seniority at the Bar does not exempt a lawyer from professional discipline. For law students, it is also a real illustration of how client poaching and fee disputes are treated under the 2023 Rules of Professional Conduct, not abstract exam material, but rules with real consequences.