EXTRA: Why LPDC Derobed Kano Based Lawyer

The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) on the 5th day of July, 2017 in Abuja derobed one Naziru Kafinga, a Kano based Legal Practitioner for withholding N50,000 belonging to his client. Mr. Naziru was called into a matter by one of his client. The said client had purchased a car, with a balance N200,000 to be paid. The Police arrested the client, who then called Mr. Naziru to help secure bail from the Police and broker a resolution in the matter. Mr. Naziru helped his client to secure the bail and the client thereafter paid the balance of the said N200,000 through Mr. Naziru. However, instead of making the full payment, Naziru deducted N50,000 from the N200,000, claiming that it was his professional fee for the services rendered to the client. The client claimed that his lawyer, Naziru diverted the money without his knowledge and consent. A petition was then written by the client against him. The Chairman of the Kano Branch gave directives after the report that the said Naziru should refund the remaining N50,000. However, Naziru, vehemently refused to do so despite the given directives. The Chairman then proceeded to report the matter to the NBA national body. The NBA then wrote to him informing him about the allegation leveled against him, however, he failed to give a reply to the letter sent to him by the NBA. The matter was thus referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. LPDC thereafter served him the necessary processes through the branch secretary which was received and signed by Naziru. However despite signing the processes, he still failed appearing before the committee to answer the complaint. The committee subsequently served him by means of a substituted service but all to no avail as the said Naziru still failed to comply. The Committee was therefore left with no option than to give its verdict. The committee while giving its verdict invoked Rule 1 and 14 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, stating that Kafinga Naziru conduct was nefarious by withholding the money of his client after several demands to refund same, and that his act is such that would bring disrepute to the Association. The committee further gave an order directing the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court to remove Kafinga’s name from the roll of legal practitioners.]]>