The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, will swear-in 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) on Monday, November 27, 2023. The swearing-in ceremony will take place in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court as part of the scheduled events for the Court’s 2023/2024 legal year.
Adhering to a longstanding tradition, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) is set to deliver a state-of-the-Judiciary address during a special court session. This address will illuminate the performance of the Apex Court and the broader Nigerian Judiciary throughout the 2022/2023 legal year.
Dr. Akande Festus, the Director of Press and Information of the Apex Court, conveyed this information in a press statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
He further disclosed that various key figures in the Justice Sector will deliver speeches addressing the state of the justice sector in the country during the event. Notable speakers include the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), and representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), among others.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) received a total of 114 applications for the Senior Advocate of Nigeria rank in 2023, with 101 applicants being advocates and 13 academics.
After undergoing rigorous processes such as the Advocates 1st and 2nd Filtration Stages, Academic Pre-qualification, Academic 2nd Filtration Exercise, Independent Appeals Hearing, and Chambers Inspection Exercises, the number of qualified applicants shortlisted stood at 69, consisting of 57 advocates and 12 academics.
Following comprehensive screening, including appearances in superior courts, recommendations from Justices of the Supreme Court and Judges of superior courts, Chamber inspections, and assessments of eligibility and integrity by the Nigerian Bar Association, Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and the general public, among other criteria, the LPPC ultimately approved 58 candidates.
Out of the figure, 57 are advocates while one is an academic.