Prominent senior lawyer, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama SAN has distanced himself from allegations that he was a mediator mediation in lifting of a court-ordered restriction on OML 40 corporate filings at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

At least two news blogs (not CITY LAWYER) had alleged that the senior lawyer was involved in an alleged improper mediation concerning the lifting of a court-ordered restriction.

But in a statement made available to CITY LAWYER and personally signed by the senior lawyer, Gadzama vowed that nothing could be farther from the truth.

His words: “I have no business whatsoever, directly or indirectly, with the subject matter of these publications. I was not involved in any mediation, meeting, or transaction concerning the OML 40 corporate filings, the CAC Registrar-General, or any of the parties mentioned. The suggestion that a “mediator linked” to me facilitated an improper act is a deliberate and wicked fabrication.”

Meanwhile, J-K Gadzama LLP has hosted its 26th End-of-Year Award & Appreciation Evening and 11th Christmas Carol.

The event was attended by many leaders from the Bar and Bench as well as justice sector stakeholders including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan; former Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, and the immediate past Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN.

A CATEGORICAL DENIAL AND CONDEMNATION OF MALICIOUS AND DEFAMATORY PUBLICATIONS BY SAHARA REPORTERS AND THE NIGERIA LAWYER

By: Chief Joe Kyari Gadzama, SAN, OFR, MFR

My attention has been drawn to two highly defamatory and utterly false publications circulating in the media space, specifically:

1 Sahara Reporters: “How CAC Registrar-General Magaji Quietly Lifted Court Ban On OML 40 Corporate Filings, Enjoyed Lavish Hospitality Provided By Businessman Emeka Offor’s Oil Partners” (Published December 13, 2025).
2 The Nigeria Lawyer: “N700m Duplexes, Private Jet, OML 40, CCB Declaration Delay” — Unexplained Wealth, Conflict-Of-Interest Allegations Trail CAC Registrar-General Magaji, SAN” (Published December 13, 2025).

These publications, particularly the one by Sahara Reporters and its subsequent repetition by The Nigeria Lawyer, contain a malicious falsehood that attempts to link me, directly or indirectly, to an alleged improper mediation concerning the lifting of a court-ordered restriction on OML 40 corporate filings at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

The specific injurious statement, which I cite for the record, is the claim that: “The meeting, sources claim, was facilitated through the influence of a mediator linked to a prominent Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Joe Kyari Gadzama (SAN), described by insiders as having personal ties to Magaji.”

I express my absolute and profound displeasure at this reckless and unprofessional attempt to tarnish my hard-earned reputation. I hereby issue a categorical denial of the entire allegation and any implication arising therefrom.

I have no business whatsoever, directly or indirectly, with the subject matter of these publications. I was not involved in any mediation, meeting, or transaction concerning the OML 40 corporate filings, the CAC Registrar-General, or any of the parties mentioned. The suggestion that a “mediator linked” to me facilitated an improper act is a deliberate and wicked fabrication. It defies simple logic that the Sahara Reporters, instigating such weighty inference, opted not to mention the name of the purported mediator whom they claimed was linked to me. Moreover, in naming me, they could not advance any argument or refer to any evidence connecting me to the purported transaction involving the Registrar-General of the CAC.

For about four decades of legal practice, I have dedicated my life to upholding the highest standards of the legal profession, characterized by integrity, transparency, and strict adherence to the rule of law. My reputation is my most guarded asset, and I guide it with all circumspection.

Beyond professionalism, my commitment to ethical conduct is a matter of deep personal conviction. This is evidenced by my service as a past Chairman of the Body of Benchers Mentorship Committee, a role that demand unimpeachable moral authority and public trust.

To suggest that I would lend my name, or allow any person “linked” to me to lend my name, to an act that undermines a subsisting court order or compromises the integrity of a public institution like the CAC is deeply offensive to everything I stand for.

As a matter of public interest and personal conviction, I strongly urge the relevant anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the serious allegations leveled against the CAC Registrar General and ensure that the full weight of the law is applied, should those allegations be substantiated.

I have formally issued a Cease-and-Desist notice to both Sahara Reporters and The Nigeria Lawyer, demanding an immediate and unreserved retraction and a public apology, and I am contemplating a comprehensive suit for aggravated defamation, to protect my name and integrity from such malicious falsehoods.

The public is hereby advised to disregard these baseless allegations, specifically, as relate to the name, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN.

A Night of Harmony and High-Profile Guests: J-K Gadzama LLP’s End-of-Year Event Shines

26th End-of-Year Award & Appreciation Evening and 11th Christmas Carol, hosted by J-K Gadzama LLP on Monday, 15 December 2025, was a spectacular affair, seamlessly blending corporate celebration with festive culture. The event was graced by a host of dignitaries, led by the Chairman and Chairlady, Prof. Jerry Gana and Mrs. Lucy Gana, and the hosts, Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, and Mrs. Christine Gadzama.

The evening’s atmosphere was set by the captivating performance of the Abuja City Choir, whose carol renditions were a major highlight. The main speaker, Apostle Selman, delivered a powerful message that added depth to the festive spirit. The sheer number of distinguished guests underscored the event’s prestige. The list included former Governors Boni Haruna and Bala James Ngilari, as well as prominent figures like Hon. Justice Ibrahim Auta, OFR, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Mr. Ismaila Gaji Karagama, Prof. Joash Amupitan (Chairman of INEC), and Amb. Obed Wadzani. This gathering of legal, political, and spiritual leaders made the J-K Gadzama LLP event a truly memorable cultural and social fixture of the year.

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