The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) has suspended Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Joe-Kyari Gadzama from legal practice for three years, citing breaches of professional conduct related to his involvement in the Zaki Biam case. The suspension, announced on Wednesday, follows a petition filed by lawyer Chris Alash, who alleged that Gadzama engaged in unprofessional and unethical behavior during the handling of the case involving victims and survivors of the 2001 military attack in Benue State. Alongside Gadzama, another lawyer, Ocha Ulegede, was also suspended for two years. According to reports, both were found to have violated the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, 2023. The disciplinary action comes after a long-standing dispute over the management of legal representation and financial matters tied to the Zaki Biam case. The LPDC directed all heads of superior courts in Nigeria to take appropriate action based on its ruling. Gadzama, who has practiced law for nearly four decades, represents approximately 40 victims and survivors of the Zaki Biam incident. He has publicly rejected the LPDC's decision, calling the allegations against him “unfounded.” In a statement released via TVC, he claimed that the petitioner, Chris Alash, falsely accused him of improperly taking over another lawyer’s case, soliciting clients, and misappropriating professional fees. Gadzama emphasized that he was directly retained by the judgment creditors through a written instruction and acted in strict compliance with that retainer. The Zaki Biam incident occurred in October 2001 when Nigerian soldiers, under the orders of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, attacked the town following tensions with local militias. The operation targeted communities in four Benue Local Government Areas, Logo, Ukum, Kwande, and Katsina Ala, resulting in widespread violence, displacement, and loss of life. Hundreds of civilians were killed, and numerous homes and properties were destroyed. Survivors and families of the deceased subsequently filed a lawsuit against the federal government at the Federal High Court in Enugu, seeking compensation for the damages suffered. In July 2007, Justice Lewis Allagoa ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, awarding them N41.8 billion. However, the federal government challenged the verdict, leading to negotiations that eventually resulted in a settlement of N8 billion. In 2015, prominent lawyers Itsay Sagay and Mike Ozekhome raised concerns about the government’s decision to transfer the compensation funds to Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam. This move sparked further controversy and became a focal point of the ongoing disputes surrounding the case. The payment of the N8 billion settlement triggered conflicts between Gadzama and the petitioner, Chris Alash. Gadzama stated that he had been directly instructed by the judgment creditors to manage their affairs and adhered strictly to the terms of his engagement. He expressed confidence that the Supreme Court would review the LPDC’s decision and provide a fair assessment of the facts and legal arguments presented. Gadzama has already instructed his legal team to file an appeal against the LPDC’s ruling. The case continues to draw attention due to its historical significance and the complex legal and ethical issues it raises. As the legal process unfolds, the outcome could have broader implications for legal practitioners and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
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