The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) has suspended human rights lawyer Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, from the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) pending the conclusion of ongoing disciplinary proceedings against him.

The suspension was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Kabir Akanbi, Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Secretary of the LPPC. According to the statement, the decision was reached at the committee’s 173rd general meeting held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

“The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its 173rd General Meeting held on 23rd June, 2026, considered the matter and resolved to suspend Mike Ozekhome, SAN, from the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the determination of the disciplinary proceedings against him,” the statement read.

Ozekhome, a well-known constitutional lawyer and vocal advocate for human rights and democratic governance, has been a Senior Advocate of Nigeria for many years. The suspension is a significant development in Nigeria’s legal community, as the SAN rank is one of the highest professional honours for legal practitioners in the country.

The LPPC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, is the body responsible for conferring and regulating the SAN rank. No further details were provided in the statement regarding the specific allegations leading to the disciplinary action.

This is the latest in a series of high-profile cases involving senior members of the Bar facing regulatory scrutiny. Further updates are expected as the disciplinary proceedings progress.

Panic gripped residents on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, after a three-storey building under construction collapsed along Peter Odili Road, near Eterna Filling Station, opposite Chief Sam Ngbor Avenue in the highbrow area of the Rivers State capital.

Construction workers were on site when the structure suddenly caved in around 10 a.m., trapping several people beneath the rubble. Reports indicate one person is feared dead, while scores of others remain trapped. Eyewitnesses said about eight workers were inside the building at the time of the collapse, with at least three to four rescued alive so far and receiving treatment at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.

Emergency responders, police, and local volunteers have mobilized to the scene, using excavators and manual efforts to search through the debris. Rescue operations are ongoing amid concerns that more victims may still be trapped.

This incident marks the second building collapse in Port Harcourt within 24 hours, raising fresh alarms about construction standards and safety regulations in the state. The Rivers State Government is expected to launch a full investigation into the cause, which may include structural defects, substandard materials, or regulatory violations.

Authorities have urged the public to stay away from the site to allow emergency teams unimpeded access. Further updates on casualties and the full extent of the damage are awaited as rescue efforts continue.

In a landmark decision that could reshape the nation’s security architecture, the Nigerian Senate on Wednesday passed a bill establishing state police forces across the country.

The bill, which seeks to amend the 1999 Constitution to allow states to create and manage their own police services, was approved after hours of debate and multiple amendments. Lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favor, marking a significant victory for proponents who argue that decentralized policing is essential to tackling rising insecurity, banditry, and kidnapping.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio described the passage as “a bold step towards true federalism and enhanced security governance.” He noted that the bill includes stringent safeguards, including oversight mechanisms by the federal police authorities and human rights protections to prevent abuse.

The development comes amid growing pressure from state governors, particularly in the southern and north-central regions, who have long complained that the centralized Nigeria Police Force is overstretched and ill-equipped to respond swiftly to local threats. Supporters believe state police will enable quicker response times, better intelligence gathering, and community-oriented law enforcement.

However, critics expressed concerns during the debate over potential risks, including the politicization of security forces, possible human rights violations, and the capacity of poorer states to fund and equip their own police. Some senators warned that without robust funding frameworks and training standards, the reform could exacerbate existing inequalities between states.

The bill now proceeds to the House of Representatives for concurrence. If passed by the lower chamber and signed by President Bola Tinubu, it will represent one of the most sweeping constitutional changes in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Public reactions have been mixed, with civil society groups calling for transparency in the implementation process and adequate training for new recruits. Security analysts say the success of state police will ultimately depend on proper funding, accountability, and coordination with federal forces.

This legislative move is seen as part of broader efforts to address Nigeria’s multifaceted security challenges as the country grapples with economic pressures and persistent violence in various regions.