May 26, 2025
Legalpedia Citation: (2009-12) Legalpedia 85576 (SC) In the Supreme Court of Nigeria Holden at Abuja Fri Dec 4, 2009 Suit Number: SC 190/2006 CORAM A.I. KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE […]
CORAM
A.I. KATSINA-ALU, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
M. MOHAMMED, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
W.S.N. ONNOGHEN, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
C.M. CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
M. S. MUNTAKA-COMMASSIE, JUSTICE SUPREME COURT
PARTIES
ANAMELECHI ITEOGU ESQ
APPELLANTS
THE LEGAL PRACTITIONERS DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE
RESPONDENTS
AREA(S) OF LAW
LEGAL PRACTITIONER – LOCUS STANDI
SUMMARY OF FACTS
Complaints of misconduct in a professional respect was brought against the appellant for whom the respondent found him guilty and directed that his name be struck off the Roll of Legal Practitioners and that he pays the sum of 9.5million to the petitioner.
HELD
Appeal dismissed
ISSUES
NONE
RATIONES DECIDENDI
A LEGAL PRACTITIONER WILL BE PUNISHED ONLY FOR MISCONDUCT IN PROFESSIONAL RESPECT
A legal practitioner cannot be punished under the Act, for all misconducts but only misconducts in a professional capacity or respects. Per CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JSC
WHEN THE COURTS WILL INTERVENE IN A DISPUTE
The courts of law do not intervene unless one of the parties to the dispute having the necessary locus standi to do so, invokes their judicial powers. The term locus standi means standing to sue. Per CHUKWUMA-ENEH, JSC
CASES CITED
1. GOURIET V. UNION OF POST OFFICE WORKERS & ANOR.. (1977) 2 WLR 310; (1978) A/C 435 at 496
2. SENATOR ABRAHAM ADESANY A V. PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA & ANOR. (1961) 5 SC .112 at 184
STATUTES REFERRED TO
1. Legal Practitioners Act, Cap. 207, Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 1990