In a pivotal victory for due process, the legal career of Idris K. Thany, Esq., remains fully intact after the High Court of Lagos State ruled on Monday, October 6, 2025, that his appeal against the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) direction automatically operates as a stay of execution.
The ruling, delivered by Hon. Justice I.O. Akinkugbe (Mrs.) at the Ikorodu Judicial Division, decisively settled the question of whether Mr. Thany could continue his professional practice following the LPDC’s direction imposing a two-year suspension on September 15, 2025.
The Court’s Definitive Stance
The issue arose during proceedings in the case IKD/1317LMW/2015, where opposing counsel challenged Mr. Thany’s eligibility to appear. Justice Akinkugbe upheld Mr. Thany’s argument, which was grounded in the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act (LPA)
In the ruling, the Court expressly relied on Section 12(6)(a) of the LPA, finding that:
“…the filing of an appeal does operate as a Stay of execution which in effect means I.K Thany Esq. can continue to practice until his appeal is determined.”
The Court further confirmed that Mr. Thany’s Notice of Appeal, received by the LPDC on September 26, 2025, was filed within the required 28-day statutory period.
Upholding Due Process
This High Court decision validates the statutory protection afforded to legal practitioners under the LPA, reinforcing the principle that a disciplinary direction, though serious, is not final until the appellate process is exhausted.
Mr. Thany’s case is currently before the Supreme Court of Nigeria on 12 comprehensive grounds of appeal, primarily challenging the LPDC’s procedural errors, including its reliance on unsworn evidence, a matter now being litigated with the full protection of his practicing license.
This ruling confirms that the status quo is maintained, allowing Mr. Thany to fully discharge his professional duties to his clients while he pursues justice at the Apex Court.
