*Orders ₦405,000 Refund To Client
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The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee’s (LPDC) commitment to upholding professional standards, Edward Oseghale, Esq., a Lagos-based lawyer, has been suspended from legal practice for two years and ordered to refund ₦405,000 to his client after being found guilty of infamous conduct involving alleged forgery and gross negligence.
The decision, dated May 8, 2023, in the matter of Monday Omon Ojo v. Edward Oseghale, Esq. (Complaint No. BB/LPDC/295/2020), was delivered by a panel chaired by Hon. Justice Dr. Ishaq Bello, OFR, with members Ahmed Mustapha Goni, Esq., Ebenezer Obeya, Esq., Hon. Sulaiman Usman, SAN (Attorney General of Sokoto State), and Mr. Umeh Kalu, SAN (Life Bencher).
The ruling, now published in the Punch Newspaper and the Federal Gazette, has been circulated to key judicial and bar institutions across Nigeria.
The case originated from a petition filed on October 28, 2020, by Monday Omon Ojo, who accused Oseghale of professional misconduct in handling a land title perfection on behalf of his client, Mr. Egbokhan Kingsley, concerning a property in Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos State, under the Ministry of Lands.
According to evidence presented, Kingsley handed over crucial documents to Oseghale, including:
- A copy of a Deed of Assignment dated September 27, 2018;
- A May 2019 Attorney’s invoice for the land; and
- Copies of receipts for the estate, Homeland and Egbokhan Realtors and Ventures.
In addition, Kingsley paid Oseghale a total of ₦405,000 for services covering one-year land use charges, building approval, and property development. Despite receiving payment and documents, Oseghale failed to deliver on his obligations, prompting suspicions of professional misconduct.
The petitioner alleged that Oseghale submitted a forged survey plan as proof of work done. The document reportedly contained visible irregularities, including falsified surveyor details and discrepancies in plan descriptions. Further investigations revealed that Oseghale had no functional office at the stated address — 5th Floor, NIPOST Building, Obalende, Lagos — which was linked to a nonexistent or deceptive setup.
Oseghale’s evasion of service further complicated the process. Multiple attempts at personal service failed, prompting the committee to approve substituted service via email, WhatsApp, and postings on the notice boards of the High Court of Justice, Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, and the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikoyi Branch, on July 14, 2021. Affidavits of service, including evidence from the Deputy Sheriff and emails dated November 18, 2022, confirmed these efforts.
In its ruling, the LPDC emphasized the constitutional right to a fair hearing under Section 36(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), citing precedents such as Emeaka v. Okoroafor (2017) 11 NWLR (Pt. 1577) 410 @ 461 and Ihedioha v. Okorocha (2016) 1 NWLR (Pt. 1492) 148 @ 179. Despite extensive efforts to secure Oseghale’s appearance, he failed to defend the complaint.
The panel found Oseghale’s conduct “irresponsible and condemnable”, stating that it brought the legal profession into disrepute. Specific infractions included:
- Failure to deliver legal services for which payment was received, violating Rules 1 and 14 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners;
- Presentation of a forged survey plan as proof of work;
- Receipt of professional fees without evidence of any corresponding legal action, such as land registry filings or title perfection.
The committee observed that Oseghale’s conduct went beyond civil negligence and bordered on criminality, including forgery, though it refrained from delving into criminal liability in line with Ndukwe v. LPDC (2007) 5 NWLR (Pt. 1026) 1 @ 28.
Accordingly, the LPDC ruled as follows:
- Oseghale is suspended from the Roll of Legal Practitioners and barred from engaging in legal practice for two years, effective May 8, 2023;
- He must refund ₦405,000 to the petitioner forthwith;
- No order as to costs was made.
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court was directed to implement the order, with notices published in Punch and the Federal Gazette, and copies served on the NBA President, National Executive Committee, Chief Justice of Nigeria, President of the Court of Appeal, heads of federal and state courts, Attorneys General, and Police Commissioners nationwide.
The ruling serves as a stern warning to legal practitioners against unethical practices, particularly in property transactions, where clients rely on their lawyers’ professional integrity. The LPDC’s exhaustive record of service efforts underscores its procedural diligence and respect for due process.
As of the certified true copy dated September 25, 2025, the decision remains in force, with Oseghale’s suspension set to end in May 2025. Neither party was immediately available for comment, though legal analysts view the ruling as a positive step toward safeguarding client rights and restoring public trust in the legal profession.
The full 21-page decision is archived at the LPDC Registry, Abuja.
MONDAY-OMON-OJO-VS.-EDWARD-OSEGHALE-FINAL-DIRECTION
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