JOHANNESBURG — Nelson Mandela's lawyer says the elderly statesman is distancing himself from a London exhibition of disputed lithographs bearing his signature.

Bally Chuene says there is an ongoing court case over claims that proceeds from the sale of the artworks did not go to charity as intended.

There also are doubts about the authenticity of the artworks, which include Mandela's hand print and scenes from the prison where he was held during apartheid.

Belgravia Gallery has scheduled the exhibition for July 16 — two day's before Mandela's 91st birthday.

The gallery was contacted Friday, but managers did not respond to requests for comment.

Last year, a similar exhibition was halted after Chuene wrote to the gallery warning them against it continuing.