On Monday, 27th November 2023, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will swear in 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria, (SANs) at the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
A statement from the Supreme Court and signed by its Director, Press and Information, Dr. Akande Festus said the new silks would be inaugurated as part of programmes lined up to formally usher in 2023/2024 legal year of the apex court.
The statement said about 114 applications were received by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC, from qualified legal practitioners who wanted to be elevated to the prestigious rank of SAN.
Of that number, only 101 of the Applicants are advocates, while 13 are 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, etc., 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 Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court and Hon. 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, of course, the general public, amongst others, the LPPC came up with 58 successful candidates. Out of this number, 57 are advocates while one is an academic.
“The Supreme Court commenced its annual vacation after a remarkably successful 2022/2023 legal year on Monday, 24th July, 2023. Though the Court had started sitting since Monday, 18th September, 2023, the new legal year ceremony is now being formally held in accordance with our tradition.”
