CJN warns lawyers that their SAN ranks can be withdrawn, urges them to live up to expectations

macfranc007 September 25, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 Buchi Obichie

- Justice Walter Onnoghen has warned newly appointed SANs that their ranks can be withdrawn if it is abused

- He said some lawyers who were found to have presented forged court judgments during the process of appointment as SANs, were being investigated by the police

- Onnoghen urged the new SANs to exhibit every virtue of excellence, integrity and diligence at all times

30 newly appointed Senior Advocates of Nigeria have been warned by the chief justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, that the rank could be withdrawn if they abused it.

He gave the warning during the Supreme Court’s special court session to mark the commencement of the 2018/2019 legal year and the swearing-in of the newly-appointed SANs, on Monday, September 24 Punch reports.

NAIJ.com gathers that Onnoghen disclosed that some lawyers who were found to have presented forged court judgments during the process of appointment as SANs, were being investigated by the police.

31 lawyers had initially been nominated for the rank conferment; however, the nomination of one Ikhide Ehighilua was withdrawn at an emergency meeting of the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee, following an allegation that he engaged in abuse of court process.

The new SANs include the attorneys-general of Lagos and Ondo states, Adeniji Kazeem and Adekola Olawoye, respectively.

They also include the director-general of the Nigerian Law School, Prof Isa Chiroma; the vice-chancellor of the Lagos State University, Prof Olanrewaju Fagbohun; the national coordinator of the Legal Defence and Assistance Project, Chinonye Obiagwu.

Of the newly conferred SAN’s, the only female was Prof Oluyemisi Bamgbose.

Onnoghen urged the new Senior Advocates to guard their ranks jealously; pointing out that it is a privilege.

He said: “The rank is a privilege. It is bestowed on you to show great leadership, integrity, humility, exemplary character and be a role model to all aspiring lawyers and the public at large. I am confident that you all will live up to our expectations.

“It is imperative to state here again that this rare privilege can, and shall be withdrawn if abused. It must therefore be guarded jealously.

“I must also stress that as members of the Inner Bar, you now occupy positions of trust and great responsibility. Expectedly, you must exhibit every virtue of excellence, integrity and diligence at all times. You must also remember your duties to the courts as custodians of justice.”

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Recall that NAIJ.com previously reported that the Legal Practitioners Privileges Committee (LPPC) announced 31 lawyers as Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).

The new list was announced during a briefing at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja on Thursday, July 12.

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