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At least 11 Nigerian-born lawyers practising or based in the United States have faced suspension or other disciplinary measures over alleged or established professional violations, according to disciplinary records cited in a report by The Peoples Gazette.

The cases span several years and involve different jurisdictions and regulatory bodies, including state bar authorities, U.S. immigration authorities and the Board of Immigration Appeals.

The disciplinary matters range from unauthorised practice of law and failure to meet professional obligations to alleged misrepresentation, neglect of clients’ cases and mishandling of client funds.

The sanctions are not identical, and the grounds for disciplinary action vary from one case to another. Some of the lawyers have also reportedly been reinstated, while others remain suspended or have not been reinstated.

Below is a summary of the lawyers and the disciplinary actions reported against them.

1. Aloysius O. Ejimakor

Aloysius O. Ejimakor was suspended from practising law in New York for nine months in 2004 following disciplinary proceedings over alleged false claims concerning his professional qualifications.

According to a U.S. Department of Justice document, the Office of General Counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review commenced proceedings against him in July 2003.

The proceedings alleged that Ejimakor violated federal regulations by making false statements concerning his qualifications.

The report states that he had not been reinstated following the suspension.

2. Abiola O. Adesioye

Abiola O. Adesioye, based in the District of Columbia, was suspended in July 2025 by the Board of Immigration Appeals from practising before the board, U.S. immigration courts and the Department of Homeland Security.

The suspension followed an order issued by the District of Columbia Court of Appeals on March 25, 2025.

According to the report, disciplinary counsel for the Executive Office for Immigration Review and the Department of Homeland Security jointly petitioned for her immediate suspension under applicable federal regulations.

The Board of Immigration Appeals granted the petition pending the final resolution of the disciplinary proceedings.

3. Emelike Nwosuocha

Emelike Nwosuocha, who died on July 21, 2024, aged 64, faced disciplinary proceedings before his death.

According to the report, he was posthumously suspended for three years in 2024 over professional misconduct.

The disciplinary matter included an alleged failure to provide an affidavit required under an earlier suspension and failure to pay attorney fees owed to a defendant in a medical negligence lawsuit.

In 2023, Nwosuocha had reportedly received a six-month suspension after failing to respond to a disciplinary grievance.

The relevant disciplinary authorities subsequently affirmed the suspension.

4. Michael Ozulumba

Michael Ozulumba, who is based in Massachusetts, was reportedly suspended from practising before the Internal Revenue Service and the Executive Office for Immigration Review for two years.

The reported disciplinary findings involved professional misconduct, neglect of client cases and misrepresentations.

However, the supplied material contains a reference to a 2027 board decision. Since that date is still in the future as of September 16, 2026, that portion requires independent verification and has therefore not been treated here as an established past event.

5. Michael Imevbore Ojo

Michael Imevbore Ojo, based in Houston, Texas, was suspended from practising law for 12 months by the Evidentiary Panel of the District 4C05 Grievance Committee of the State Bar of Texas.

The disciplinary action reportedly involved alleged violations of Texas professional conduct rules, including neglect, failure to communicate with clients and failure to cooperate with a State Bar investigation.

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Nigeria’s political and entertainment communities have been thrown into mourning following the death of veteran actor and film executive, Oludotun Baiyewu Jacobs, popularly known as Olu Jacobs, at the age of 84.

Jacobs died on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, with his family announcing his passing in a statement shared by his son, Olusoji Jacobs, on Instagram.

The family described the celebrated actor as “The Lion of Lufodo” and said his death marked the end of a life dedicated to his family, the arts and the entertainment industry.

“Oludotun Baiyewun Jacobs (MFR), 11/07/1942 – 16/09/2026,” the family stated, while appealing to bloggers and social media influencers to respect their privacy as they mourn.

Tinubu: ‘His Passing Is a Great Loss’

President Bola Tinubu led the tributes, describing Jacobs as one of Nigeria’s most distinguished actors and a major figure in the development of the country’s creative industry.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said Jacobs’ career across theatre, television and film had inspired generations of actors and filmmakers.

“He was a giant of the Nigerian creative industry. His passing is a great loss to Nigeria, the African film industry and the global community of lovers of the performing arts,” the President said.

Tinubu also praised Jacobs for bringing depth, dignity and authenticity to his performances, saying his body of work would continue to inspire future generations.

The President extended his condolences to Jacobs’ wife, veteran actress Joke Silva, their children, grandchildren, relatives, colleagues and the wider Nigerian creative community.

Atiku: ‘An Institution Has Passed’

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also mourned Jacobs, describing him as an institution and a cultural icon whose career helped shape Nigeria’s entertainment landscape.

In a tribute shared on X, Atiku said Jacobs had become a familiar presence in the homes of generations of Nigerians and praised his distinctive voice, dignity and acting talent.

He also highlighted Jacobs’ international career before the emergence of Nollywood as a global phenomenon, noting his contribution to the foundations of Nigeria’s modern film industry.

Atiku extended his condolences to Silva, the Jacobs family and the wider Nigerian and African creative communities.

A Career That Spanned More Than Five Decades

Born on July 11, 1942, Jacobs built a career that stretched across more than five decades and encompassed theatre, British television, international cinema and Nollywood.

He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London before beginning his professional acting career in Britain. He appeared in several British television productions and international films before returning to Nigeria, where he became one of the country’s most recognisable screen and stage actors.

In Nigeria, Jacobs became particularly associated with roles portraying kings, chiefs, traditional rulers, patriarchs and other authoritative characters.

His commanding presence and distinctive voice became trademarks of his performances, helping establish him as one of the defining figures of Nigerian cinema.

Awards and National Recognition

Jacobs received several major honours during his career.

He won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 2007 and was honoured by the Federal Government with the national award of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2011.

He also received the Industry Merit Award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards and a lifetime achievement award at the 2016 MAA Awards.

Jacobs was also a film executive and, alongside Joke Silva, co-founded the Lufodo Group, further extending the couple’s contribution beyond acting into the development of Nigeria’s performing arts sector.

Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva

Jacobs and Joke Silva became one of Nigeria’s most prominent entertainment couples.

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The political battle over Anambra State’s finances has escalated, with the Presidency challenging former governor and 2027 presidential candidate Peter Obi to honour his pledge to stop campaigning if it is established that his administration left behind unpaid debts.

The challenge was issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, amid a fresh exchange between Obi and the Anambra State Government over loans, financial obligations and funds allegedly left behind when he handed over power in 2014.

Onanuga said Obi had previously maintained that he left Anambra without outstanding debts and had indicated that he would abandon his presidential campaign if evidence emerged to the contrary.

“Now, the Anambra government has confronted him with facts and figures,” Onanuga said, according to reports of his statement, adding that the state government had raised claims involving obligations to workers, teachers, pensioners and contractors.

“The ball is back in his court. Will he follow through on his threat by quitting the race?” he asked.

Anambra Government Releases Debt Records

The Presidency’s intervention followed a detailed response by the Anambra State Government to Obi’s denial of claims that his administration left behind financial liabilities.

Anambra Commissioner for Information and Value Reformation, Law Mefor, said the state had released records relating to external loans and other obligations allegedly linked to previous administrations.

The state government said records showed that Anambra inherited external loans associated with Obi’s tenure, with reports putting the outstanding balance at about $123.77 million. The government also disputed Obi’s account of an alleged ₦2.13 billion ecological fund.

According to Mefor, the First Bank account identified by Obi as the repository of the ecological funds was not an ecological fund account and, based on the certified records cited by the government, did not contain the amount Obi claimed he left behind.

The Anambra government has also maintained that the state continues to service financial obligations incurred under previous administrations.

Obi Rejects Allegations

Obi has strongly rejected the allegations, describing claims that he left unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities and contractor liabilities as false.

The former governor said his administration cleared more than ₦35 billion in historical gratuities and arrears and maintained that, at the point of handover, the state had no outstanding salaries, pensions or gratuities.

He also disputed the characterization of the ecological funds as a loan.

According to Obi, the money was released shortly before the end of his tenure for the Oko/Umuchiana erosion-control project. He said he deliberately left the funds untouched for his successor because they were tied to the project.

Obi further maintained that the funds were held in a First Bank account with a balance of more than ₦2.13 billion and were separate from the more than ₦75 billion in savings he said his administration left behind.

He challenged the Anambra Government to produce evidence contradicting his account, saying he would stop campaigning if it could establish that he left the alleged debts.

Fresh Political Flashpoint

The competing accounts have transformed what began as a dispute over Anambra’s historical finances into a political confrontation with implications for the 2027 presidential race.

The central issues remain whether financial obligations currently being serviced by Anambra can be directly attributed to Obi’s administration, the nature and status of the disputed ecological funds, and what financial position the former governor handed over to his successor in 2014.

The latest exchange has now put Obi’s own pledge at the centre of the controversy, with the Presidency arguing that the publication of the state government’s records places the burden on him.