Agbomhere Petitions LPDC, Seeks Disciplinary Action Against Adeyanju Over Attacks On Akpabio, Wike
Barr Agbomhere
By Arit Mbeh
A legal practitioner, Blessing Agbomhere, has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) of the Body of Benchers, urging it to investigate and discipline fellow lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, over alleged professional misconduct.
In the petition, received by the committee on November 2, 2026, Agbomhere accused Adeyanju of breaching the professional ethics governing legal practitioners through what he described as intemperate, unsubstantiated and disparaging public comments against senior members of the Bar.
Among the allegations cited was Adeyanju’s reported description of Senate President Godswill Akpabio and other senior lawyers in the National Assembly as “political bandits” during an interaction with journalists in February 2026.
Agbomhere also accused the activist lawyer of repeatedly referring to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a thief, allegedly without providing supporting evidence or relying on any court conviction.
He argued that such public utterances were inconsistent with the standards of civility, decorum, respect for seniority and professional conduct expected of members of the legal profession.
According to him, Adeyanju’s criticisms of Akpabio and Wike went beyond legitimate activism and amounted to conduct unbecoming of a legal practitioner.
The petition further drew attention to Adeyanju’s involvement in the controversy surrounding sexual harassment allegations made against Akpabio by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
Agbomhere alleged that Adeyanju initially expressed support for Akpoti-Uduaghan and threatened to petition foreign diplomatic missions over the allegations but subsequently called on the senator to either provide evidence to substantiate her claims or withdraw them.
He described the apparent change in position as inconsistent, arguing that it raised concerns about the activist lawyer’s professional judgment.
To support his allegations, Agbomhere said he attached newspaper publications and video recordings of Adeyanju’s media engagements as exhibits to the petition.
He maintained that lawyers, irrespective of their political affiliations or personal convictions, were expected to exercise restraint in public commentary, particularly when making allegations against fellow practitioners and public office holders.
He warned that unsubstantiated and disparaging statements by members of the legal profession could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the Bar.
Consequently, Agbomhere urged the LPDC to investigate the allegations and exercise its disciplinary powers, citing alleged breaches of Rules 1, 26(1), 26(2) and 27(1) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners.
He specifically asked the committee to formally require Adeyanju to respond to the allegations and show cause why disciplinary sanctions should not be imposed if the charges are established.
Agbomhere said the intervention of the disciplinary body was necessary to uphold professional standards, protect the integrity of the legal profession and ensure that lawyers remain accountable for their conduct both within and outside the courtroom.
