Nigerian lawyer lands in trouble in Canada over alleged misconduct

A Nigerian lawyer based in Canada, Ms. Grace Akpan, has been found guilty of professional misconduct by the Law Society of Alberta (LSA).

Akpan, who practises in Calgary, Alberta, was admitted to the Alberta bar in 2019.

The LSA ruled that she brought the administration of justice into disrepute after notarising documents contrary to its directives.

The panel said Akpan was guilty of bringing “the administration of justice into disrepute by notarizing improper documents contrary to express Law Society of Alberta direction, and that such conduct is deserving of sanction.”

The Eagle online gathered from the Law Society of Alberta v Akpan, 2026 ABLS 4 records that the Society has decided to fix a further hearing date “to determine sanction and costs in this matter.”

During the hearing, Akpan alleged that the citation against her was the result of discrimination and bias by the Law Society.

However, the hearing panel presided over by Sharilyn Nagina, Cal Johnson and Tammy Pidner rejected the claim.

The committee said: “In Ms. Akpan’s oral and written materials, she raised a number of allegations that the citation is targeted and the result of discrimination and bias on behalf of the LSA.

“There is no evidence on the record to support Ms. Akpan’s allegation of selective enforcement.

“Rather, Ms. Akpan’s allegations fail to recognize the confidential nature of portions of the LSA’s disciplinary process.

“Ms. Akpan’s allegations in this regard are not accepted by the Committee.”

The panel said it reached its decision after reviewing evidence and hearing arguments from both parties.

The committee said: “After reviewing all the evidence and exhibits, and hearing the testimony and arguments of the LSA and Ms. Akpan, for the reasons set out below, the Committee finds Ms. Akpan guilty of conduct deserving of sanction on the citation pursuant to section 71 of the Legal Profession Act (Act).”

At the hearing, Akpan said she was not at fault in the matter.

She had earlier appeared before the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and the Court of Appeal of Alberta to defend herself over the allegation.

She argued that the appellate court had found she never intended to participate in any nefarious or improper scheme initiated by a litigant identified as “AM,” whose identity was withheld due to a publication ban.

The report stated: “Rather, she argued, the citation is not about facts. She stated she had been targeted, and the citation is based on bias and discrimination.”

However, the Law Society insisted that the lawyer failed to exercise due diligence before notarising the documents.

The report stated: “Ms. Akpan argued that there is no evidence on how her notarization of the Notarized Documents has brought the administration of justice into disrepute.

“Rather, Ms. Akpan is the one that has suffered from this matter.”

The Society blamed Akpan that she committed the offence for failing to educate herself on the relevant documents provided to guide members on the signing of such controversial documents.

It said: “Ms. Akpan’s failure was the result of a gap in her education.

“This gap in education resulted from Ms. Akpan refusing to take that education.

“Ms. Akpan’s intentional refusal to take that education is what results in a determination of conduct deserving of sanction.”

The body added that the lawyer had ignored official guidance issued to members.

It said: “By choosing not to read the e-bulletin, Ms. Akpan has acted contrary to express LSA direction.”