THE Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Tony Ojukwu, and the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Offences Commission (ICPC), Prof. Bolaji Owasonoye, have been shortlisted for the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Other eminent lawyers shortlisted for conferment of the prestigious legal award include
three former General Secretaries of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); Mazi Afam Osigwe, Chief Emeka Obegolu and Aare Abiola Olagunju, as well as a former Vice President of the NBA, Ikeazor Akariwe.
A press statement by the Legal Practitioner’s Privileges Committee (LPPC) on Wednesday said the 137 candidates emerged successful both at advocate filtration stages and academic pre-qualification exercise.
Acting Chief Registrar of Supreme Court/Secretary, LPPC, Hajo Sarki, who signed the statement, stated that “All qualified candidates shortlisted are graded under the category system of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee Guidelines, 2018.”
The statement added that the general public is at liberty to comment on the integrity, reputation and competence of the nominees. Sarki, however, said any complaint(s) presented to the LPPC must be accompanied with a verifying affidavit deposed to before a Court of Record in Nigeria.
“Please be informed that in relation to paragraph 12 (2) of the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee Guidelines, 2018, Twenty copies of such comments or complaints must be received at the office of the Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee not later than 4.00 pm on Tuesday 13th October 2020 or email: [email protected].,” the statement further instructed.
Other shortlisted candidates include; Delta State Attorney General, Mr Peter Mrakpo, an Abuja based legal practitioner, Mr Bankole Akomolafe, Mr Sule Shua’ Ibu, Muhammad Ndanusa, Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, Charles Oguejiofor, Robert Emukpoeruo amongst others.
A breakdown of the figure showed that while 116 are practising lawyers, the remaining 21 were drawn from the academia.
