ABUJA—Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo and 22 other senior lawyers were, yesterday, shortlisted for elevation to the rank of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, SAN, by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee, LPPC.
In a statement it issued yesterday, LPPC, through its Secretary and Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Mr. Sunday Olorundahunsi, said it had already fixed July 8 and 9 to interview intending SANs with a view to ascertaining their suitability for the rank.
The rank confers certain privileges on the holder, among which are sitting in the front row of any court in Nigeria and judges ensuring that cases involving SANs are called up first.
Meanwhile, LPPC, yesterday, maintained that members of the public are at liberty to comment on the integrity, reputation and competence of any of the applicants, adding that such comments should be submitted to it on or before July 7.
Aside Keyamo, other lawyers shortlisted for the rank yesterday were: Mr. Gerald Godwi Ezeuko, Samuel Otseilu Zibiri, Dr. Joshua Olatoke, Dr. Adewale Olawoyin, Olusola Idowu, Chukwudi Obieze, Kelvin Nwufo, Chief Wale Taiwo, Dr Theophilus Onigbinde, Teslim Busari, Olatunde Adejuyigbe.
Others are Mr. Richard Akintunde, Sylvanus Ogwemoh, Adeqale Adesokan, Tawi Tawo, Andrew Igbokwe, Chike Onyemenam, Fredson Alexander, Dr. Amuda Kannike Abiodun, Oluwakemi Balogun, Ahamefula Ejelan and Hakeem Olatunde.
However, Paragraph 22(1) of the LPPC guidelines permits the withdrawal of the rank from its holder, if such person is adjudged by the LPPC to have conducted himself in a manner incompatible with the dignity and honour of the rank.