Legal practitioner Blessing Agbomhere has petitioned the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) of the Body of Benchers against fellow lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju, over alleged professional misconduct.
In an application reportedly received by the committee on November 2, 2026, Agbomhere accused Adeyanju of making what he described as unsubstantiated, disparaging and inappropriate public comments about senior members of the Nigerian Bar.
The petition specifically referenced 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 alleged that Adeyanju repeatedly referred to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as a thief without providing evidence or relying on a court conviction.
According to the petitioner, such statements fall short of the standards of civility, restraint, respect and professional conduct expected of legal practitioners.
The petition further raised concerns over 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 the senator and threatened to petition foreign diplomatic missions over the allegations but later called on her to provide evidence or withdraw her claims.
He argued that the reported change in position raised questions about Adeyanju’s professional judgment and conduct.
To support his complaint, Agbomhere reportedly attached newspaper publications and video recordings of Adeyanju’s media engagements as exhibits.
He urged the LPDC to investigate the allegations, require Adeyanju to respond and consider disciplinary action if the claims are established.
The petitioner cited Rules 1, 26(1), 26(2) and 27(1) of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners, arguing that lawyers have a responsibility to exercise restraint when making public statements, particularly allegations involving other individuals.
Agbomhere maintained that the committee’s intervention was necessary to protect the integrity of the Nigerian Bar and preserve public confidence in the legal profession.
However, the allegations remain claims contained in the petition and do not amount to a finding of professional misconduct. Adeyanju’s response to the petition was not included in the information available for this report.
Written by Enitan Mudashiru
