Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola will swear in 58 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria on Monday, 27th November, 2023, at the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court.
The swearing is part of the programmes lined up to formally herald the 2023/2024 legal year of the Court.
In line with the age-long tradition, the CJN will, during the special court session, deliver a state-of-the Judiciary address, highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court in particular, and the Nigerian Judiciary in general, in the 2022/2023 legal year.
A statement by the Director, Press and Information of the Supreme Court, Dr Festus Akande made available to newsmen on Sunday said, other leading stakeholders in the Justice Sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the justice sector of the country.
Akande said, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), amongst others, will speak at the occasion.
According to the statement, 114 applications were received by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for the award of the rank of SAN in 2023 and, out of the number, 101 are advocates and 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. All the programmes outlined to mark the formal commencement of the new legal year will start at 10:00am in the main Courtroom of the Supreme Court,” the statement added.
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