New SAN to be sworn in December 14

The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee on Friday named 72 successful applicants for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria, The Punch reports.

They will be sworn in on December 14, according to the Director of Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr. Festus Akande, according to The Punch.

The list of 72 successful candidates comprising 62 advocates and 10 in the academics category was signed on behalf of the LPPC secretary by Akande.

The successful candidates include the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practice and other related offenses Commission, Prof Bolaji Owasanoye, in the academics category.

Also on the list are two former General Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association, Isiaka Olagunju, and Afam Osigwe.

It also contained the name of a lawyer in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Mr Tijjani Gazali; a former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress, Babatunde Ogala; and a former Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Prof Oyelowo Oyewo (academics).

The statement by Akande said the LPPC elevated the successful candidates at its 143rd meeting held on Friday.

It read in part, “The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee at its 143rd plenary session held today November 13, 2020, has elevated 72 legal practitioners’ to the inner bar.

“The rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.

“The swearing-in of the 72 legal practitioners is scheduled for Monday, December 14, 2020.”

Elevating as many as 72 lawyers to the rank of SAN in one batch is record-breaking.

The closest to it was when 38 lawyers were conferred with the rank in 2019.

In 2018, only 31 lawyers were elevated.

Fewer lawyers were picked in 2017 as only 30 were elevated.

In 2016, the number of lawyers elevated was 22.

The 2020 list was drawn from an initial shortlist of 137 names.