Does the Law Forbid a Lawyer from Engaging as a Property Agent? — A Deep Dive into the Case of Ukah & Ors v. Onyia & Ors
In the Nigerian legal landscape, the interplay between professional ethics and dual practice has long been a contentious issue. The case of Ukah & Ors v. Onyia & Ors (2016)[6] stands as a pivotal decision that not only tested the boundaries of a lawyer’s permissible roles but also sparked a broader debate on the sanctity of legal professionalism. At its core, the case asked a deceptively simple question: Can a lawyer legally operate as a property agent while practicing law? The answer, as the Court of Appeal elucidated, is a resounding no, but the reasoning reveals far more than a mere prohibition, it underscores the ethical and institutional imperatives that define the legal profession.
