A group of Nigerian lawyers practising in the United States have been disciplined, suspended, or disbarred for professional misconduct, including fraud, theft, unauthorised practice, and failure to comply with legal ethics, according to official documents reviewed by Peoples Gazette. These disciplinary actions span multiple U.S. states and federal agencies, highlighting ongoing concerns about the conduct of some Nigerian legal professionals abroad. The sanctions range from temporary suspensions to indefinite bans, with several cases resulting in permanent removal from the legal profession.
Aloysius O. Ejimakor, a Nigerian lawyer based in New York, was suspended for nine months in 2004 after making false claims about his qualifications. The Office of General Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review initiated disciplinary proceedings against him in July 2003, citing violations under 8 C.F.R. § 1003.102(f)(l). He has not been reinstated since his suspension.
Abiola O. Adesioye, based in Washington D.C., faced suspension in July 2025 by the Board of Immigration Appeals following a joint petition from the Disciplinary Counsel for EOIR and DHS. Her suspension stemmed from misconduct that warranted immediate action pending final disciplinary resolution. The District of Columbia Court of Appeals had already suspended her on March 25, 2025.
Emelike Nwosuocha, who died in July 2024 at age 64 during disciplinary proceedings, was posthumously suspended for three years in 2024 for failing to submit required affidavits and not paying attorney fees in a medical negligence case. He had previously been suspended for six months in 2023 for ignoring client grievances.
Michael Ozulumba of Massachusetts was suspended for two years for neglecting client cases and making misrepresentations. In 2027, the board affirmed this suspension, extending it to immigration courts and DHS.
Michael Imevbore Ojo of Houston, Texas, received a 12-month suspension in 2005 for violating professional conduct rules, including neglect and lack of cooperation with state bar investigations. The board immediately suspended him from immigration proceedings pending final resolution.
Anslem A. Efe, a Colorado-based lawyer, was indefinitely suspended in 2013 for practicing without proper authorization and lacking lawful U.S. status. Jude Chukwuma Ezeala and Olayemi Isaac Falusi, both from Maryland, were also indefinitely suspended in 2017 and 2018 respectively for similar reasons.
Anthony Emeka Nze Nwosu, an immigration attorney in Sacramento, California, was suspended indefinitely from U.S. immigration courts in January 2024 after being disciplined by New York’s Supreme Court Appellate Division for failing to meet registration requirements and facing complaints from seven clients.
Ginikanwa Chinaemerem Okedi was indefinitely suspended in 2020 by Maryland’s Court of Appeals for mishandling client funds, fraud, and dishonesty. Osamwonyi E. Osagiede, based in New Hampshire, was suspended indefinitely in 2009 for unauthorised practice after filing numerous representation forms with immigration courts.
Martin E. Nwizubo, a Washington-based lawyer, was placed on disability inactive status in 2016 due to health issues, leading to his indefinite suspension. The Washington State Bar Association confirmed this status in 2017, and he remains inactive.
These disciplinary actions underscore growing scrutiny over the conduct of Nigerian lawyers in the U.S., particularly in immigration law. As legal standards become more rigorous, the consequences for misconduct are increasingly severe, affecting both current and future legal practices.
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