LPPC clears ex-Abia attorney-general of misconduct, restores SAN rank

A former Attorney General of Abia State, Chief Uche Ihediwa, has been absolved of any misconduct by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.

Ihediwa, who served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice under Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration from 2015 to 2023, was also reinstated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

He had been suspended from using the SAN rank on July 1, 2024, following an allegation brought by a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Yakubu Maikyau (SAN).

Ihediwa was accused of making inappropriate remarks at the 2023 International Bar Association Conference in Paris, and saying there was corruption in the appointment of judges in Abia State during his tenure as Attorney General.
This was contained in a petition addressed to the then Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the LPPC, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The LPPC, however, cleared him of the allegations during its 163rd General Meeting held on February 6, 2025.

In an official statement on Thursday, the Secretary of the LPPC, Sarki Bello, confirmed the decision, stating, “The LPPC, at its 163rd General Meeting, held on July 1, 2024, suspended Chief Ihediwa (SAN) from further use of the rank of SAN based on a petition received by the LPPC.

“On February 6, 2025, after a thorough review of all material facts, the LPPC resolved to restore Chief Ihediwa to the rank of SAN.

“Pursuant to this decision, Chief Ihediwa is hereby restored to the rank of SAN with effect from February 6, 2025. The general public is hereby informed of this decision.”