THE QUEEN VS IMADEBHOR EGUABOR
September 5, 2025ABIODUN OLALEKAN VS COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
September 5, 2025Legalpedia Citation: (1962-04) Legalpedia 50402 (SC)
In the Supreme Court of Nigeria
Holden at Lagos
Mon Apr 30, 1962
Suit Number: SC 24/1962
CORAM
ADEMOLA, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
UNSWORTH, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
TAYLOR, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
BAIRAMIAN, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
APPELLANTS
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS COMMITTEE
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
LEGAL PRACTITIONERS ‘ COMMITTEE-PUNISHMENT APPLICABLE–APPEAL
SUMMARY OF FACTS
Mr. Abuah the appellant was convicted on three counts charging him with forgery, uttering and obtaining money by false pretences. Being dissatisfied with his sentence appealed to this Court.
HELD
We therefore order that the name of Mr. Alfred Chukwuemeka Abuah be struck off the roll of Legal Practitioners in Nigeria, and that this be communicated to the Benchers of the Honourable Society in England to which he belongs.
ISSUES
Whether conviction for a criminal offence is sufficient misconduct and a ground for striking a legal practitioner off the roll or suspend him temporarily from practice or reprimand him?
RATIONES DECIDENDI
GROUNDS FOR STRIKING OUT A NAME FROM THE ROLL
‘Where a legal practitioner is convicted of a criminal offence, prima facie, the conviction makes him unfit to continue as a practitioner.’ Per ADEMOLA CJF
GROUNDS FOR STRIKING OUT A NAME FROM THE ROLL
‘We think it is plain and it is commonsense that the Court is not bound to strike a man off the rolls unless it is satisfied that the criminal offence of which he has been convicted Is of such a nature as to make him unfit to practice without loss of self -respect, or whether one can still consider him a fit and proper person to be entrusted with the grave responsibilities which are demanded of a member of the profession.’ Per ADEMOLA CJF
GROUNDS FOR STRIKING OUT A NAME FROM THE ROLL
‘That an Attorney may be struck off the roll for an offence committed by him, not his character as an Attorney or having relation to his character as an Attorney.’ Per ADEMOLA CJF
CASES CITED
Re a Solicitor. Ex Parte Incorporated Law Society, 61 L.T. 842
Re Hill, L.R. 3 Q.B. 543
Re King (1845) 15 L.J. Q. B. 2
Re Weare, (1893) 2 Q.B. 439
STATUTES REFERRED TO
The Legal Practitioners Act
