From Godwin Tsa, Abuja.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will on November 11, 2023 swear-in 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) as part of the programmes lined up for the 2023/2024 legal year of the Court.
The elevation of the 58 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) was approved by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).
The LPPC, under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, took this decision at its 159th plenary session held on October 12, 2023, in Abuja.
The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and LPPC Secretary, Hajo Sarki Bello, said the new SANs were appointed as a mark of excellence for distinguished advocacy and academic contributions to legal practice.
Besides the inauguration of the new silk, the CJN will deliver a state-of-the Judiciary address that would highlight the performance of the Supreme Court in particular and the Nigerian Judiciary in general in the 2022/2023 legal year.
In a statement in Abuja on Sunday, the Director of Press and Information of the Apex Court, Dr Akande Festus said other leading stakeholders in the Justice Sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the justice sector of the country at the occasion.
They include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) amongst others.
A total of 114 applications were received by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for the award of the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2023.
The number represent a total number of 101 from practicing lawyers and 13 from the academics.
The total number of qualified applicants shortlisted after the Advocates 1st and 2nd Filtration Stages, Academic Pre-qualification, Academic 2nd Filtration Exercise, the Independent Appeals Hearing and Chambers Inspection Exercises was 69 comprising 57 advocates and 12 academics.
After conducting the specified screening and filtration exercises which include a number of appearances in superior courts, recommendations by Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of superior courts, Chamber inspections; approval on eligibility and integrity of the candidates from the Nigerian Bar Association, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria and the general public, amongst others, the LPPC came up with 58 successful candidates.
Out of the successful figure, 57 are advocates while one is an academic, Professor Babatunde Adetunji Oni.
The successful applicants, according to the statement were a human rights activist, Olukayode Ajulo, Felix Offia, Lawrence Falade, Kingsley Obamogie, Folasade Alli, Abiola Isiaq Oyebanji, Bomo Agbebi, Daniel Uruakpa, and Oseloka Osuigwe.
Others include the wife of foremost human rights lawyer, Funmi Falana, Babatunde Adeoye, Babaseyi Joseph, Emmanuel Enoidem, Kehinde Aina, Nghozi Oleh, Aaron Okoroma, Ibrahim Angulu, and Olayiwola Afolabi.
With the latest elevations, Nigeria now has a total of 681 Senior Advocates, since the rank was first introduced in 1975.
The SAN rank aims to recognise experienced legal practitioners who have excelled in advocacy, and made significant contributions to the development of law in Nigeria.
The Supreme Court commenced its annual vacation on Monday, 24th July, 2023.
Though the Court had started sitting since Monday, 18th September, 2023, the new legal year ceremony is to be formally held in accordance with its tradition.
All the programmes outlined to mark the formal commencement of the new legal year will start at 10 am in the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court.