Nigerian lawyer and politician Owolabi Salis has had his appeal to overturn his disbarment dismissed by the Board of Immigration Appeals, confirming his permanent ban from practicing immigration law in the United States. The decision, revealed in official filings dated December 29, 2025, upholds a prior ruling that stripped him of his legal license after he was found guilty of scamming vulnerable immigration clients out of tens of thousands of dollars. The board’s order states that Salis is disbarred and barred from representing individuals before the Board of Immigration Appeals, Immigration Courts, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), effective December 21, 2022.
Salis, 63, gained international attention in June 2025 when he became the first Nigerian to travel to space, an achievement that brought both celebration and renewed scrutiny over his past actions. His rise to fame came amid ongoing legal consequences stemming from his 2022 disbarment by the Supreme Court of the State of New York. The court’s decision stated: “It is ordered that… the respondent, Owolabi M. Salis, is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys and counsellors-at-law in the State of New York, effective the date hereof and continuing until further order of this court.”
Despite this, Salis appealed the disbarment in 2023, but the New York Court of Appeals declined to reverse the ruling. Federal agencies, including DHS, then moved to enforce the disbarment within the U.S. immigration system, where Salis had previously represented clients seeking asylum or other forms of relief. He opposed the motion, arguing against its enforcement, but the Board of Immigration Appeals rejected his challenge and upheld the original decision.
On August 13, 2025, disciplinary counsel from the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) and DHS filed a motion to reinstate the final order of disbarment. Salis responded with opposition on August 25, 2025, but the board ultimately ruled in favor of the motion. The outcome means Salis can no longer practice immigration law in any U.S. federal immigration forum, even as he continues to be recognized for his historic spaceflight.
Beyond his legal troubles, Salis also made headlines in Nigeria when he ran for governor of Lagos State in 2019, though he did not win the election. His journey from political candidacy to space exploration has drawn mixed reactions, with some celebrating his achievements while others question the integrity behind his public persona. The recent dismissal of his appeal underscores the long-term consequences of professional misconduct, even for those who later achieve global recognition.
As the U.S. immigration system continues to enforce ethical standards among legal practitioners, Salis’s case serves as a reminder of accountability in the legal profession. His future endeavors, whether in science, politics, or public life, will likely continue to be viewed through the lens of this unresolved legal history.
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