By Ikechukwu Nnochiri

All is now set for the swearing in of all the 32 legal practitioners who were on July 7, confirmed as the newest Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

In accordance with the provisions of the Legal Practitioners Act 207, Section 5 (1), lawyers of not less than ten years standing who distinguished themselves in the legal profession, are periodically conferred with the SAN title by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC.

•Justice Katsina-Alu, Chief Justice of Nigeria

Statutorily, the LPPC is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, while its members consist of the Attorney-General of the Federation, one Justice of the Supreme Court (chosen by the CJN and AGF for a term of two years, renewable on one occasion only), the President of the Court of Appeal, five Chief Judges of the States (chosen by the CJN for a term of two years renewable on one occasion only), the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, as well as five SANs who are equally chosen by the CJN for a term of two years, renewable on one occasion only.

As a SAN, you are not only accorded maximum respect by your fellow lawyers, even the judges themselves ensure that your case is called first except when there is a judgment.

Moreso, as an amicus curiea and a member of the ‘Inner Bar’, a SAN can comfortably offer an advise to a sitting Judge with a view to guiding the court properly, little wonder why they sit at the front rows.

It is on record that Chief F.R.A Williams and Dr Nabo Graham-Douglas were the first set of legal practitioners in Nigeria that were on April 3, 1975, conferred with the title of SAN.

However, as at today, there are 344 SANs in Nigeria aside from the 32 new set.

•Joseph Dawodu, NBA Chairman

Though controversies have continued to trail their emergence, it is however not in dispute that both the LPCC and the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, have found them suitable for the rank.

They were selected from a list of 62 persons that the LPPC initially published in Abuja on March 16.

NBA which is the main umbrella-body of all practicing lawyers in the country had vehemently kicked against the 62-man list, insisting that the names were compiled in contravention to the provisions of section 7 of the Legal Practitioners Act.

To show its seriousness, the NBA dragged both the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu, who by virtue of his position superintends over the LPPC, as well as the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke Bello, SAN, before a Federal High Court in Abuja.

It urged the court to determine among other things, “whether the defendants, particularly the LPPC, complied with the mandatory provision of paragraph 12-(1) of the Guidelines for the appointment of Legal Practitioners to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria made pursuant to section 7 of the Legal Practitioners Act, in the appointment exercise to the rank of SAN for the year 2010-2011”.

However, at the resumed hearing of the suit on May 16, counsel to the NBA, Mr Emeka Obegolu, informed the presiding judge in the matter, Justice Gabriel Kolawole that all the parties decided to settle the matter out of court.

Consequent upon the terms of settlement they subsequently filed at the High Court registry on May 31, the trial judge discontinued further hearing on the suit, though he adopted the said terms of settlement as the judgment of the court on the matter.

While unveiling the names of the survivors in Abuja on July 7, the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr Sunday Olorundahunsi, said the 32 new SANs were selected after a holistic appraisal of their personal and official conducts by the legal body.

He maintained that sequel to an understanding by all the stakeholders in the Nigerian judiciary, the LPPC decided to group the new SANs into two categories representing last year and this year.

Olorundahunsi further disclosed that the two groups comprising of 15 names each, will be sworn-in on the same day, adding that whereas 3 of the new SANs were drawn from the academia, others were hitherto into active legal practice.

According to documents that were made available to Vanguard, the new SANs drafted under last year’s quota were; Pat Onegbedan, Isaac Nwazue Ijioma, Agatha Obiozo Mbamali, Chief Dan Ose Okoh, Kenneth Ekene Mozia, Yahaya Mahmood, Chief Ferdinad Oshioke Orbih, Olanrewaju Ayodele Ogunlesi, Anthonia Titilola Akinlawon, Oluwemimo Adepoju Revell Ogunde, Professor Imran Oluwole Smith (Academics), Ikechukwu Ezechukwu, Okechukwu Amechi, Nnadi Jude Ositadinma and Abiodun Jelili Owonikoko.

While those appointed for the 2011 legal year were; Faye Dikio, Garba Shamtu Pwul, Granville Isetima Abibo, Samuel Tomi Ologunorisa, Hassa Muhammad Liman, Babatunde Adekunle Aiku, Dr Peter Terkaa Akper (Academics), Adesegun Muhammed Ajibola, Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau, Okon Nkanu Efut, David Oghenovo Ezaga, James Uko Kalu Igwe (Academics), Norrison Ibinabo Quakers, Jibrin Samuel Okutepa and Solomon Eyibio Umoh.

Other were told to wait till next year when their names would be reconsidered by the relevant bodies for onward promotion to the exalted rank of SAN.