NJC Reports Chief A.A. Aribisala SAN To LPPC

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has resolved to drag popular Lagos lawyer, Chief A. A. Aribisala, SAN to the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) over “unpalatable and derogatory remarks” he allegedly made against a judicial officer. The NJC has the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola as its chairman.

In a press statement on the heels of its 104th meeting which held last Wednesday and Thursday, the council wrote: “Council also resolved to report A. A. Aribisala, SAN to Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for investigation and disciplinary action, for the unpalatable and derogatory remarks he made against a Judicial Officer and by extension, the NJC in his petition to the Council.”

Details of the remarks were however not made public. The embattled fiery senior lawyer is yet to respond to the development.

This is not the first time Aribisala is having a brush with the LPPC. The committee had on February 26, 2013 stripped the senior lawyer of the rank following “allegations of flagrant breach of professional ethics and professional misconduct.” This arose from a petition by Fidelity Bank dated May 15, 2012 and another one by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

But Aribisala dragged both the bank and LPPC to court, arguing that his suspension was done despite the pendency of an application dated October 19, 2012 seeking a restraining order of interlocutory injunction against LPPC.

The rank was however restored to him 20 months later. A statement then by the LPPC read: “You may all recall that on the 26th day February, 2013 the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its General meeting suspended Chief A. A. Aribisala(SAN) from further use of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria based on two petitions received by the LPPC on allegations of flagrant breach of professional ethics and professional misconduct.

“On the 27th day of October, 2014 the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its General Meeting have decided to lift Chief A.A Aribisala’s suspension, after consideration of all material facts (Notices of withdrawal/discontinuance and subsequent letter of withdrawal of petition and terms of settlement).

“Pursuant to the committee’s decision, Chief Aribisala is hereby restored to the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria with effect from the 27th day of October, 2014.

“Futhermore, the committee hereby declares that any future act by Chief Aribisala that runs foul of paragraph 22 of the LPPC rules shall attract a stiffer sanction.”