“It is ordered that…the respondent, Owolabi M. Salis, is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys,” the court ruled.
The 62-year-old was arraigned on August 21, 2023, before Justice Heidi Cesare in Brooklyn.
He had been disbarred by the New York State Supreme Court after failing to attend a disciplinary hearing or respond to the grievance committee.
“It is ordered that…the respondent, Owolabi M. Salis, is disbarred and his name stricken from the roll of attorneys,” the court ruled.
Despite the disbarment, Salis allegedly continued practicing law. Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez charged him with multiple offenses including grand larceny, scheme to defraud, and unlawful practice of law.
“This defendant allegedly continued to practice law after being disbarred… and defrauded his clients out of tens of thousands of dollars,” Gonzalez said.
Salis was celebrated in Nigeria after joining a Blue Origin space flight in June 2025, but his legal troubles cast a shadow over his public image.