The Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, will Monday, September 30, swear in 87 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN).
The Supreme Court’s Director of Information, Dr. Festus Akande, in a press statement made on Thursday, stated that the ceremony will take place in the main courtroom of the Supreme Court, marking the official start of the 2024/2025 legal year.
Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment as CJN was confirmed on Wednesday, September 25, by the Nigerian Senate, and this ceremony will mark her first official event of this kind in her new role.
The Supreme Court, which went on its annual vacation on July 22, resumed sessions on September 23.
The formal legal year ceremony is slated to commence at 10:00 AM in the main courtroom, with all stakeholders invited to participate in this significant event.
“In line with our age-long tradition, during the special court session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, will deliver a state-of-the-judiciary address, with a view to highlighting the performance of the Supreme Court in particular, and the Nigerian Judiciary in general, in the 2023/2024 legal year.
“In the same vein, other leading stakeholders in the justice sector will present speeches bordering on the state of the justice sector of the country. These include: Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chairman of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), amongst others,” a statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations, Supreme Court of Nigeria, Dr Festus Akande, read in part.
The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, on July 2, released the names of a total of 98 lawyers to be considered for the conferment of the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
On July 30, the LPPC, at its 164th plenary session under the leadership of the immediate past CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, elevated 87 out of the 98 legal practitioners to the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
The SAN title is an honorific designation conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria with not less than ten years standing who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, either as courtroom advocates or in legal academia.